Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium or sac that holds the heart in place, besides protecting it from infection and malignancy. Pericardium is a two layered fluid filled sac covering the outer surface of the heart.
Pericarditis that disrupts your heart’s normal function, can be attributed to several factors, including viral, bacterial, fungal and other infections. Or it can be caused by heart attack or heart surgery. The condition usually develops suddenly and may last from a couple of weeks to several months, depending on its type — chronic, acute or recurrent pericarditis.
While most people do well with prompt treatment, rest and pericarditis medication, others may need a procedure to drain fluid from their pericardium. However, complete recovery can sometimes take a few weeks or months.
At Felix Hospital, the best hospital for pericarditis treatment in Noida, our cardiologists have extensive experience diagnosing and treating various heart problems, including pericarditis treatment.
Pericarditis symptoms, depending on its type, may include the following:
In most of the cases, the cause of pericarditis is hard to determine. This is called idiopathic pericarditis. Some of the common pericarditis causes include:
Some of the common risk factors associated with pericarditis include:
Although when treated on time, the risk of developing pericarditis-associated complications are rare. Some of the complications of pericarditis can include:
Many of the symptoms of pericarditis are like those of other heart and lung conditions. Therefore, it is important to be thoroughly checked by a specialist if you experience pain in your chest.
There's no specific way to prevent pericarditis, but you can take these steps to prevent infections, which might help lower the risk of heart inflammation:
Your cardiologist may use a variety of ways to check for pericarditis and any complications associated with the condition. You may need one or more tests, such as:
Depending on pericarditis causes and its type, most times, people with pericarditis only need pericarditis medication for the treatment. However, if you have a fluid buildup in your pericardium, you might need to have the fluid drained.
In case of acute pericarditis treatment, you may be prescribed medication for pain and inflammation. Depending on the cause of your pericarditis, you may need an antibiotic or antifungal medication, or a steroid treatment.
As mentioned, when fluid builds up in the space between the pericardium, it can cause a condition called pericardial effusion. If the fluid builds up quickly, it can cause cardiac tamponade, a medical emergency that can be a life-threatening event, especially if the fluid is not drained immediately. During pericardiocentesis, your cardiologist uses a long, thin tube called a catheter to drain the extra fluid. Echocardiography or a CT scan helps guide the catheter and a needle to your pericardium.
However, if the fluid cannot be drained with a needle, a minimally invasive surgical procedure called a pericardial window will be performed. During the procedure, the cardiologist will make an opening in the pericardium through a small chest incision to drain fluid from the pericardium.
In case of constrictive pericarditis, a surgery called pericardiectomy is performed, as part of which some of the pericardium is removed.
When dealing with any heart condition, it can be beneficial to make healthier lifestyle changes. There are many ways patients can implement healthier lifestyle choices after a pericarditis treatment or even diagnosis. This includes:
Why Choose Felix Hospitals for Pericarditis Treatment?
Felix Hospital, the best hospital for pericarditis treatment in Noida, provides state-of-the-art facilities catering to the entire spectrum of cardiac care, ranging from accurate diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation. Here’s what makes us the most preferred hospital for cardiac care:
