DISEASE SCANNER

Global Incurable Diseases Tracker

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Cardiac Disease

Pericarditis

MODERATE

Inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac surrounding the heart. Causes chest pain and can lead to fluid accumulation (pericardial effusion) or heart compression (cardiac tamponade). Often idiopathic but can follow viral infections or autoimmune conditions.

Global Affected

600.0K

Countries

89

Symptoms

Sharp chest pain
Pain worse when lying down
Pain better leaning forward
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Low-grade fever
Heart palpitations
Cough

Treatment Options

NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin)
Colchicine
Corticosteroids (refractory cases)
Pericardiocentesis (drain fluid)
Pericardial window surgery
Treatment of underlying cause
Rest
Avoidance of strenuous activity

Risk Factors

1Viral infection
2Recent heart attack
3Autoimmune disease
4Kidney failure
5Cancer
6Radiation therapy
7Certain medications
8Bacterial infection
9Tuberculosis

Diagnostic Methods

  • 1ECG (diffuse ST elevation)
  • 2Echocardiogram
  • 3Chest X-ray
  • 4Cardiac MRI
  • 5CT scan
  • 6Blood tests (CRP, ESR)
  • 7Pericardial fluid analysis (if drained)

Prognosis

Excellent for acute cases (90% resolve within weeks). 15-30% develop recurrent pericarditis. Constrictive pericarditis is rare complication. Cardiac tamponade is life-threatening but treatable.

Prevention

  • Prompt treatment of infections
  • Vaccination (influenza)
  • Autoimmune disease management
  • Avoidance of known triggers
  • Colchicine prophylaxis (recurrent cases)

Research Status

NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin) are first-line treatment. Colchicine reduces recurrence. Corticosteroids for refractory cases. Pericardiocentesis for large effusions/tamponade. Most cases resolve spontaneously within weeks.

Affected Countries

United StatesUnited KingdomCanadaAustraliaGermanyFranceItalySpainJapanBrazilMexicoRussiaChinaIndiaSwedenNorwayFinlandNetherlandsBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaDenmarkPolandCzech RepublicHungaryRomaniaBulgariaCroatiaSloveniaSlovakiaLTLVEEIrelandPortugalGreeceCYMTLUIcelandNew ZealandSouth KoreaTaiwanSingaporeHong KongMalaysiaThailandIndonesiaPhilippinesVietnamSouth AfricaEgyptTurkeySaudi ArabiaUAEQatarKuwaitBHOmanJordanLebanonSyriaIraqIranPakistanBangladeshLKMMKHLAMNKPUzbekistanKazakhstanKGTJTMAzerbaijanAMGEUkraineBelarusMDALBAMKMESerbiaXK

Sources

  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pericarditis
  • https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/pericarditis
  • https://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17308-pericarditis

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice, diagnosis, and treatment.