Chronic Pericarditis
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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:
Medicines:
- Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
- Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.
Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.
Wellness hints:
- Eating and drinking:
- Eat a variety of healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help you have more energy and heal faster. Ask your caregiver if you need to be on a special diet.
- Men 19 years old and older should drink about 3.0 Liters of liquid each day (close to 13 eight-ounce cups). Women 19 years old and older should drink about 2.2 Liters of liquid each day (close to 9 eight-ounce cups). Follow your caregiver's advice if you must change the amount of liquid you drink. For most people, good liquids to drink are water, juices, and milk. If you are used to drinking liquids that contain caffeine, such as coffee, these can also be counted in your daily liquid amount. Try to drink enough liquid each day, and not just when you feel thirsty.
- Eat a variety of healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, low-fat dairy products, beans, lean meat and fish. Eating healthy foods may help you have more energy and heal faster. Ask your caregiver if you need to be on a special diet.
- Start exercising: Talk to your caregiver before you start exercising. Together you can plan the best exercise program for you. It is best to start slowly and do more as you get stronger. Exercising can help make your heart stronger, lower your blood pressure, and keep you healthy.
- Quit smoking: It is never too late to quit smoking. Smoking harms the heart, lungs, and the blood. You are more likely to have a heart attack, lung disease, and cancer if you smoke. You will help yourself and those around you by not smoking. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to stop smoking if you are having trouble quitting.
- Avoid stress: Stress may slow healing and cause illness. Since it is hard to avoid stress, learn to control it. Learn new ways to relax, such as deep breathing. Talk to your caregiver about things that upset you.
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 (increased body temperature).
- 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 (increased body temperature).
- You have trouble breathing, which worsens when you lie down.
- Your chest pain is still as bad as before or becomes worse.
Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.
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.
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