Idiopathic Pericarditis: Listening To The Heart
PERICARDITIS
The heart is a strong muscular organ that is responsible for sustaining life. During the course of the lifespan, many different types of illness or injury can interfere with the heart and its functioning. The heart is located within a sac, a double layered, flexible holding vessel that is named the pericardium. The pericardium is responsible for keeping the heart in the proper place. It is also the reason that the heart does not fill with more blood than it can hold. This is what keeps the heart working in an efficient manner. It is also a major defense for the heart, against infection. But when bacteria do manage to find its way into the pericardium, causing inflammation, it is not uncommon for blood and or fluid …show more content…
to also accumulate within that sac. This condition is called pericarditis. When it attacks suddenly, it is referred to as acute pericarditis. Sometimes when acute pericarditis attacks, there are few or no symptoms. When symptoms of acute pericarditis show up, what is typically presented is, a fever, an increase in blood pressure, and chest pain, that would be similar to what is seen with a heart attack with the exception that the pain will increase when the person lays down, coughs, breathes deeply or even swallows food. Often, the pain is relieved when the person sits up. There are other symptoms that show themselves, but depending on the cause of the acute pericarditis, the presentation of the symptoms will vary.
As with most illnesses, there are many other ways that pericarditis can present itself. In addition to those listed above, pericarditis can present as pain in the back, neck or left shoulder. A dry cough can be in an indicator as well. Even fatigue and or anxiety can be a signal that something is wrong and a person should follow up with their doctor.
The person who is at most risk for contracting acute pericarditis would be males between the ages of 20 to 50 (http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/disorders/other/pericarditis.aspx). Women can be diagnosed with this illness; it just is not quite as common. Typically, acute pericarditis is the result of some type of infection. The infection can be anything from viral to bacterial to parasitic and even fungus can cause pericarditis. The immune-suppressing HIV/AIDS infection can also be a source because a person’s body is so much more susceptible to infections of any type.
Several heart conditions can also lead to a diagnosis of pericarditis. It is not uncommon to have pericarditis show itself 10 days, and as far out as two months following a heart attack. Heart surgery can also be a trigger for pericarditis. It is believed by experts that pericarditis that appears in these situations as the result of a person’s body mistakenly produces an inflammatory response to the pericardium (http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/disorders/other/pericarditis.aspx). Other times that this can occur following radiation therapy, cardiac catheterization, or radiofrequency ablation, for the same reason and explanation.
There are a few other times that people can receive a diagnosis of pericarditis. Those who suffer from autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus are especially at risk. It is also not uncommon in those who have been diagnosed with kidney disease, as well as different types of tumors and malignancies. There are also several genetic disorders that can result in pericarditis. Of course, the biggest cause of pericarditis is unknown.
In this circumstance, it becomes known as idiopathic pericarditis. Often times, once a person is diagnosed with pericarditis, it becomes recurrent. The continued attacks can last for many years following the first and initial diagnosis. In order to actually diagnose this illness, a person’s doctor will typically perform lab work and a chest x-ray. Listening to the heart affected by pericarditis, through a stethoscope, will produce sounds as though leather is creaking or a crunching or even a rustling sound. The blood work will confirm that a heart attack is not taking place. It will also confirm an elevated sedimation rate and even a c-reactive protein elevation, both of which are indications of inflammation. The x-ray will confirm enlargement in the heart, and can also show congestion in the lungs. An EKG will show how the heart is functioning, including any complications associated with pericarditis, such as restrictive pericarditis, which will restrict the beating of the …show more content…
heart. Other ways to diagnose this illness include a heart echo or cardiac MRI or CT scans. Both of these will show evidence of increased fluid around the heart. Cardiac catheterization is another way, but this is also a cause of pericarditis. All of these are ways to determine if there is excess fluid around a person’s heart, and if the extra fluid is causing restrictions in the functioning of the heart.
To treat pericarditis, a doctor will typically simply prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen. Occasionally it will be necessary to offer something stronger, such as a narcotic like vicodin or Percocet, but this decision would be based strictly on the occurrence and the patient. From this point on, treating the underlying cause is what becomes the most important. For example, anti-retro-viral medications for HIV, or treatment of kidney disease. While being treated for pericarditis, it is important to instruct the patient to beware of symptoms of progression of the situation, resulting in cardiac tamponade, which is where the pericardial sac fills with blood and the heart is unable to expand or contract appropriately.
This would be a true emergency resulting in immediate action and treatment. A person’s life expectancy after a diagnosis of pericarditis would depend on the underlying cause. Typically viral pericarditis or that of undetermined etiology will resolve within one to three weeks. Of course complications or recurrences can interfere with that recovery. The most fatal cause of pericarditis would be from a metastatic diagnosis, when cancer has invaded the pericardium. This diagnosis is typically a life expectancy of 12 to 18 months. (http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/heart_and_blood_vessel_disorders/pericardial_disease/acute_pericarditis.html). Regardless of the cause, a person who is diagnosed with pericarditis is typically hospitalized during treatment. This can ensure any complications such as irregular heart rhythms can be easily monitored for. IV antibiotics can also be much more easily administered, leading to faster resolution of the
illness. Pericarditis does not necessarily mean an end of life situation. It is a condition/illness/disease which is easily treated once the proper diagnosis and underlying causes have been determined. So be sure to contact the doctor or visit the emergency department with the first signs or symptoms of the illness.
Works Cited
"Acute Pericarditis." - Cedars-Sinai. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Health-Conditions/Acute-Pericarditis.aspx>.
"Acute Pericarditis: Pericardial Disease: Merck Manual Home Edition." Acute Pericarditis: Pericardial Disease: Merck Manual Home Edition. N.p., Aug. 2012. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/heart_and_blood_vessel_disorders/pericardial_disease/acute_pericarditis.html>.
"Heart Disease and Pericarditis." WebMD. WebMD, 22 Feb. 2012. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-disease-pericardial-disease-percarditis>.
Wedro, Benjamin, Dr. "Patient Comments: Pericarditis - Describe Your Experience - Viewers Share Their Medical Experiences on MedicineNet." MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://www.medicinenet.com/pericarditis/discussion-203.htm>.
The heart is a strong muscular organ that is responsible for sustaining life. During the course of the lifespan, many different types of illness or injury can interfere with the heart and its functioning. The heart is located within a sac, a double layered, flexible holding vessel that is named the pericardium. The pericardium is responsible for keeping the heart in the proper place. It is also the reason that the heart does not fill with more blood than it can hold. This is what keeps the heart working in an efficient manner. It is also a major defense for the heart, against infection. But when bacteria do manage to find its way into the pericardium, causing inflammation, it is not uncommon for blood and or fluid …show more content…
to also accumulate within that sac. This condition is called pericarditis. When it attacks suddenly, it is referred to as acute pericarditis. Sometimes when acute pericarditis attacks, there are few or no symptoms. When symptoms of acute pericarditis show up, what is typically presented is, a fever, an increase in blood pressure, and chest pain, that would be similar to what is seen with a heart attack with the exception that the pain will increase when the person lays down, coughs, breathes deeply or even swallows food. Often, the pain is relieved when the person sits up. There are other symptoms that show themselves, but depending on the cause of the acute pericarditis, the presentation of the symptoms will vary.
As with most illnesses, there are many other ways that pericarditis can present itself. In addition to those listed above, pericarditis can present as pain in the back, neck or left shoulder. A dry cough can be in an indicator as well. Even fatigue and or anxiety can be a signal that something is wrong and a person should follow up with their doctor.
The person who is at most risk for contracting acute pericarditis would be males between the ages of 20 to 50 (http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/disorders/other/pericarditis.aspx). Women can be diagnosed with this illness; it just is not quite as common. Typically, acute pericarditis is the result of some type of infection. The infection can be anything from viral to bacterial to parasitic and even fungus can cause pericarditis. The immune-suppressing HIV/AIDS infection can also be a source because a person’s body is so much more susceptible to infections of any type.
Several heart conditions can also lead to a diagnosis of pericarditis. It is not uncommon to have pericarditis show itself 10 days, and as far out as two months following a heart attack. Heart surgery can also be a trigger for pericarditis. It is believed by experts that pericarditis that appears in these situations as the result of a person’s body mistakenly produces an inflammatory response to the pericardium (http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/disorders/other/pericarditis.aspx). Other times that this can occur following radiation therapy, cardiac catheterization, or radiofrequency ablation, for the same reason and explanation.
There are a few other times that people can receive a diagnosis of pericarditis. Those who suffer from autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus are especially at risk. It is also not uncommon in those who have been diagnosed with kidney disease, as well as different types of tumors and malignancies. There are also several genetic disorders that can result in pericarditis. Of course, the biggest cause of pericarditis is unknown.
In this circumstance, it becomes known as idiopathic pericarditis. Often times, once a person is diagnosed with pericarditis, it becomes recurrent. The continued attacks can last for many years following the first and initial diagnosis. In order to actually diagnose this illness, a person’s doctor will typically perform lab work and a chest x-ray. Listening to the heart affected by pericarditis, through a stethoscope, will produce sounds as though leather is creaking or a crunching or even a rustling sound. The blood work will confirm that a heart attack is not taking place. It will also confirm an elevated sedimation rate and even a c-reactive protein elevation, both of which are indications of inflammation. The x-ray will confirm enlargement in the heart, and can also show congestion in the lungs. An EKG will show how the heart is functioning, including any complications associated with pericarditis, such as restrictive pericarditis, which will restrict the beating of the …show more content…
heart. Other ways to diagnose this illness include a heart echo or cardiac MRI or CT scans. Both of these will show evidence of increased fluid around the heart. Cardiac catheterization is another way, but this is also a cause of pericarditis. All of these are ways to determine if there is excess fluid around a person’s heart, and if the extra fluid is causing restrictions in the functioning of the heart.
To treat pericarditis, a doctor will typically simply prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen. Occasionally it will be necessary to offer something stronger, such as a narcotic like vicodin or Percocet, but this decision would be based strictly on the occurrence and the patient. From this point on, treating the underlying cause is what becomes the most important. For example, anti-retro-viral medications for HIV, or treatment of kidney disease. While being treated for pericarditis, it is important to instruct the patient to beware of symptoms of progression of the situation, resulting in cardiac tamponade, which is where the pericardial sac fills with blood and the heart is unable to expand or contract appropriately.
This would be a true emergency resulting in immediate action and treatment. A person’s life expectancy after a diagnosis of pericarditis would depend on the underlying cause. Typically viral pericarditis or that of undetermined etiology will resolve within one to three weeks. Of course complications or recurrences can interfere with that recovery. The most fatal cause of pericarditis would be from a metastatic diagnosis, when cancer has invaded the pericardium. This diagnosis is typically a life expectancy of 12 to 18 months. (http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/heart_and_blood_vessel_disorders/pericardial_disease/acute_pericarditis.html). Regardless of the cause, a person who is diagnosed with pericarditis is typically hospitalized during treatment. This can ensure any complications such as irregular heart rhythms can be easily monitored for. IV antibiotics can also be much more easily administered, leading to faster resolution of the
illness. Pericarditis does not necessarily mean an end of life situation. It is a condition/illness/disease which is easily treated once the proper diagnosis and underlying causes have been determined. So be sure to contact the doctor or visit the emergency department with the first signs or symptoms of the illness.
Works Cited
"Acute Pericarditis." - Cedars-Sinai. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/Patients/Health-Conditions/Acute-Pericarditis.aspx>.
"Acute Pericarditis: Pericardial Disease: Merck Manual Home Edition." Acute Pericarditis: Pericardial Disease: Merck Manual Home Edition. N.p., Aug. 2012. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/heart_and_blood_vessel_disorders/pericardial_disease/acute_pericarditis.html>.
"Heart Disease and Pericarditis." WebMD. WebMD, 22 Feb. 2012. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart-disease-pericardial-disease-percarditis>.
Wedro, Benjamin, Dr. "Patient Comments: Pericarditis - Describe Your Experience - Viewers Share Their Medical Experiences on MedicineNet." MedicineNet. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Nov. 2012. <http://www.medicinenet.com/pericarditis/discussion-203.htm>.