Pericarditis
Disease Information
Overview
Pericarditis is a condition in which the sac-like covering around the heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed.
- often causes chest pain
- usually sudden and short-lived (acute)
- chest pain occurs when the inflamed layers of the pericardium rub against each other
- mild cases may improve on their own
- treatment for more-severe cases may include medications and, rarely, surgery


