The pericardium is the thin sac or bag (membrane) that surrounds the heart.

What is pericarditis?
If this surrounding bag becomes inflammed the condition is called Pericarditis. The pericardium has an inner and outer layer and contains a small amount of lubricating fluid between the layers. When the pericardium is inflamed, it may cause these layers to become more sticky and for more fluid to accumulate. Your doctor may hear a rubbing sound when he listens to your heart as the two sticky layers of your pericardium rub off each other. Sometimes a large amount of fluid may accumulate in the pericardial sac. This occurs with certain infections of the heart and also with kidney disease.

How do you feel with pericarditis ?
Pericarditis usually occurs in men aged 20 to 50. They experience chest pain which lies behind the breastbone that sometimes spreads to the neck and left shoulder. The pain tends to be sharp and is made worse by deep breaths, swallowing or by lying down flat. Many people with pericarditis feel sick and may have a fever. These features help your doctor separate this pain from angina.

What are the causes of pericarditis?
In the majority of cases, there is no obvious cause. Other causes include

• a viral, bacterial or fungal infection.
• heart attack.
• cancer spreading from a nearby tumour in the lung, breast or the blood.
• radiation treatment
• injury or surgery.
• Kidney disease, Arthritis or SLE.

How is it treated?
Pain killers or anti-inflammatory drugs are the common treatment. Antibiotics will also be prescribed if the pericarditis is due to a bacterial infection. When there is excess fluid in the pericardial sac and this interferes with the hearts work, fluid can be withdrawn with a needle. Pericarditis may last up to 3 weeks and usually causes no more problems but 1 in 5 people can get a recurrence.