Pericarditis
Tara, Ashley, Connor
Causes
- Bacterial, fungal, or viral infection
- neoplasms (mainly from lungs or breasts)
- high-dose radiation to the chest
- hypersensitive or autoimmune disease
- drugs (hyrdralazine or procainamide)
- postcardiac injury, MI, trauma, and surgery that leaves pericardium intact but allows blood to leak into the pericardial cavity
Pathophysiology
Inflammation to the pericardium sac. Pericardial tissue damaged by bacteria or other substances releases chemical mediators of inflammation.
Symptoms; it depends on the type but
- Sharp, sudden pain starts in sternum and moves to neck, shoulders, back, and arms
- increases pain but decreases when you sit up or lean forward.
- when reclining shortness of breath
- low fever
- weakness, fatigue, feeling sick
- cough
Famous Sufferer
Toni Braxton was diagnosed with Pericarditis in 2005. Toni is a R&B singer-song writer and has won 6 Grammys.
Support Groups
Toni is a spokeswoman for the American Heart Association which educates people about the importance of identifying and reducing heart disease risk factors and to motivate others to take action in helping their health. Also she promoted a joint campaign in 2008 with Campbell Soup called GoRedWithCampbells.com. Campbell soup donated 1$ to the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign for every person who voted for his or her favorite red dress before Jan. 30.
Treatment and prognosis
- Medications can reduce inflammation and swelling are prescribed like Advil, aspirin, ibuprofen.
- Colchicine can be prescribed for acute pericarditis.
- If you don't respond to pain relievers your doctor may prescribe steroid medication.
Tests and Diagnosis
Your doctor may use blood tests to determine if a bacterial or other type of infection are present.
You could also get tested by one of the following diagnostic procedures:
- Electrocardiogram: wires attached to your skin to measure electric impulses given off by your heart.
- Chest X ray: size and shape of heart
- Echocardiogram: sound waves create image of heart and structures.
- Computerized tomography: more detailed than x ray
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging MRI
This disease is similar to low blood pressure, other lung or heart diseases.
Risk factors
Kids with acute rheumatic fever
any healthy human could get this disease