Pericardial Diseases Symptoms & Signs

Your heart works 24*7 hours to keep your blood circulation running for all the activities you perform in your daily routine. But do you know who protects your heart? It's the pericardium, the protective sac around the heart.

Here is the major function of the pericardium:

Anchor your heart
Pericardial fluid lubricates the heart’s movements
Protect it from infection, and prevent the heart from overfilling with blood

It simply means it acts as a protective, fluid-filled sac for your heart.

But what if something damages this pericardial layer? Imagine this situation like driving a car without shock absorbers; every bump feels painful and damaging.

Similarly, when the pericardium gets affected, the heart will lose its protective support, leading to further discomfort and complications. This is what happens in pericardial diseases.

What are Pericardial Diseases?

These are the conditions that affect the pericardium, the protective sac around your heart. They involve causing inflammation (pericarditis), fluid buildup (pericardial effusion), thickening, or scarring, leading to impaired cardiac or heart function.

Types of Pericardial Diseases

Here are the common types:

1. Pericarditis

It is a type of inflammation that affects the sac around the heart.

Symptoms may include:

Chest pain
Pain may radiate to your back, neck, or left shoulder
Dry cough
Irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
Fatigue and fever
Swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles (in severe cases)

Best Cardiologist in Ranchi says there are infectious and non-infectious causes:

Infectious causes may include viruses, such as influenza, COVID-19, adenoviruses, and HIV; bacteria, like tuberculosis; etc.
Non-infectious causes may include surgery or injury to the chest, Severe hypothyroidism, or a complication of untreated kidney failure, etc.

2. Pericardial Effusion

It is a condition that involves fluid accumulating in the pericardial space.

Symptoms may include:

Shortness of breath
Chest pressure or pain
Fast heartbeat
Heart palpitations
Lightheadedness
Fainting
Fatigue
Hiccups
Anxiety, confusion
Other behavioral changes
Coughing or hoarseness
Trouble swallowing

The potential causes of pericardial effusion may include:

Viral or bacterial infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis
Tumors in the heart
Inflammatory disorders
Hypothyroidism (insufficient thyroid hormone)
Injuries to the chest
Heart valve disease
It can happen after heart surgery or radiation therapy

3. Cardiac Tamponade

It is a medical emergency that takes place when abnormal amounts of blood or other fluid build up in the pericardial sac, compressing the heart.

Symptoms may include:

Sharp pain in the chest, which may radiate to other parts such as the arm, back, neck, or shoulder
Trouble breathing
Rapid breathing
Fainting, or dizziness
Changes in skin color, especially pale, gray, or blue-tinted skin.
Heart palpitations
Fast pulse
Swelling in the abdomen or legs
Confused or agitated mental status

The potential causes of cardiac tamponade may include:

Fall or a car crash
Penetrating trauma, such as a stab wound from a knife
Aortic dissection
Advanced cancer
Heart attack
Heart or kidney failure
Hypothyroidism
Tuberculosis
Inflammation of the pericardium
Infection of the pericardium
Chronic immune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Heart cancer

4. Constrictive Pericarditis

It is a condition where the pericardium becomes stiffer and thicker than normal. This can affect the heart's pumping ability, potentially leading to heart failure.

Symptoms may include:

Shortness of breath
Pain in the chest
Fatigue
Dizziness
Swelling in the abdomen and lower legs because of fluid buildup.
Muscle mass loss
Loss of appetite
Feeling full even when eating very little

The potential causes of constrictive pericarditis may include:

Bacterial infections, especially tuberculosis
Blood vessel issues that are closest to the heart
Injuries to the chest
Cancer of the pericardium
Immune system conditions

How to Prevent Pericardial Diseases

Pericardial diseases cannot always be fully prevented. However, you can adopt the following tips to avoid risk.

Practice good hygiene
Get recommended vaccinations (e.g., flu, COVID-19, pneumococcal)
Control autoimmune disorders, kidney disease, cancer, or uremia with the help of a doctor’s advice
Manage stress
Avoid smoking and alcohol
Protect your chest from trauma during activities

Pericardial Diseases Treatment

The treatment of pericarditis and other conditions depends on the type and severity of the condition and other individual factors.

The main aim of treatment is to reduce inflammation and pain.

NSAIDs and other prescribed medicines
Procedures for fluid buildup, such as pericardiocentesis and pericardial window
Surgical treatments like pericardiectomy for chronic and severe cases
Lifestyle modifications
Rest
Long-term monitoring

Best Pericardial Diseases Hospital Near Me in Ranchi | Artemis Cardiac Care

Searching for the best treatment for conditions that affect the pericardium?

Contact Artemis Cardiac Care, backed by advanced diagnostic technologies for accurate diagnosis of heart pericardial diseases and cardiologists who focus on a patient-centric approach.

Treatment Options Available:

Call us at +91 9070902010 (24/7).

FAQs

Q1: Can I work with pericarditis?
A: Yes, you can work; however, the best cardiologists, like those in Artemis Cardiac Care, Ranchi, suggest avoiding strenuous activity and resting until inflammation subsides.

Q2: What are the symptoms of pericardial disease?
A: Sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breaths, coughing, or lying down. Other symptoms are fatigue, fever, potentially swelling in the legs/abdomen, and a fast heartbeat.

Q3: How to diagnose pericardial disease?
A: Your doctor may recommend comprehensive tests like medical history and physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG), blood tests (ESR, CRP), echocardiogram (Echo), chest X-ray, cardiac MRI (CMR), and Cardiac CT.