What is pericarditis?

What is pericarditis?

• A. Inflammation of the pericardium
• B. Congestive Heart Failure
• C. Mitral Valve Prolapse
• D. Stenosis

Answer: (A)

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac that surrounds and protects the heart. When this lining becomes inflamed, it can cause sharp, pleuritic chest pain that may worsen with deep breaths or lying flat and often improves when you sit up. A doctor may hear a pericardial friction rub and see changes on an ECG that reflect irritation of the heart’s coverings. This condition is different from other heart problems like congestive heart failure, which is a pumping dysfunction of the heart; mitral valve prolapse, which is a valve leaflet displacement; or stenosis, which is a narrowing of a valve or vessel. Pericarditis specifically refers to inflammation of the pericardial sac surrounding the heart.

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the thin sac that surrounds and protects the heart. When this lining becomes inflamed, it can cause sharp, pleuritic chest pain that may worsen with deep breaths or lying flat and often improves when you sit up. A doctor may hear a pericardial friction rub and see changes on an ECG that reflect irritation of the heart’s coverings.

This condition is different from other heart problems like congestive heart failure, which is a pumping dysfunction of the heart; mitral valve prolapse, which is a valve leaflet displacement; or stenosis, which is a narrowing of a valve or vessel. Pericarditis specifically refers to inflammation of the pericardial sac surrounding the heart.