What is pericarditis: symptoms and causes?
Pericarditis is an inflammation (redness and swelling) of the thin, protective membrane that surrounds the heart, and keeps it in its proper anatomic location. The thin, loose tissue will allow the heart to change in size, and move with each heartbeat. Inflammation of this membrane may cause chest pain. Causes of pericarditis include: • Infection – From a bacteria or a virus, which causes inflammation; rheumatic fever, or tuberculosis • Cancers – causing inflammation of the pericardium from spreading of lung, breast, renal cell cancer; Hodgkin’s disease, and lymphoma • Certain Immune diseases – such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE, or Lupus) can cause pericarditis • Injury to the heart muscle – from radiation therapy to the chest area, drugs, or a heart attack (myocardial infarction) – can cause pericarditis • Sometimes the cause is unknown What are some symptoms of pericarditis to look for? • Chest pain is most often sharp or burning in character • Pain may start in the chest, an
