Chronic Pericarditis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Chronic pericarditis is an inflammation (swelling) of the pericardium lasting for more than three months. The pericardium is the sac around your heart and its large blood vessels. It holds your heart in the center of your chest and protects it from infections in your body. A small amount of clear fluid between the heart and the sac keeps them from rubbing against each other. Chronic pericarditis may start with symptoms that appear suddenly and worsen quickly, and your condition may have gotten worse over time. Damage to your pericardium from germs, injuries, and certain medicines or procedures may cause your condition. Cancer, kidney failure, tuberculosis, or pregnancy may also cause chronic pericarditis. Your symptoms may come and go and may include fatigue, fever, trouble breathing, or chest pain.
  
  
• Caregivers may do an electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram, blood tests, and imaging tests to learn about your condition. A sample of fluid or heart tissue may be collected and tested. Medicine may be given to decrease pain and swelling. Antibiotic medicine will help treat infection. Your caregiver may also do procedures to remove extra fluid and damaged areas in the sac. This can decrease or take away your symptoms and help your heart beat correctly. Treatment can prevent more and serious problems with your heart from developing.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Wellness tips:

• Eat a variety of healthy foods: This may help you have more energy and heal faster. Healthy foods include fruit, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meat, and fish. Ask if you need to be on a special diet.
  
  
• Drink liquids as directed: Adults should drink between 9 and 13 eight-ounce cups of liquid every day. Ask what amount is best for you. For most people, good liquids to drink are water, juice, and milk.
  
  
• Get plenty of exercise: Talk to your caregiver about the best exercise plan for you. Exercise can decrease your blood pressure and improve your health.
  
  
• Do not smoke: If you smoke, it is never too late to quit. You are more likely to have heart disease, lung disease, cancer, and other health problems if you smoke. Quitting smoking will improve your health and the health of those around you. If you smoke, ask for information about how to stop.
  
  
• Manage stress: Stress may slow healing and cause illness. Learn new ways to relax, such as deep breathing.

Contact the following for more information:

• American Heart Association National Center
  7272 Greenville Avenue
  Dallas , TX 75231-4596
  Phone: 1- 800 - 242-8721
  Web Address: http://www.americanheart.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You cannot make it to your next appointment.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition, medicines, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You have trouble breathing, which worsens when you lie down.
  
  
• Your chest pain is still as bad as before or becomes worse.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Chronic Pericarditis (Discharge Care)