Pericarditis is swelling and irritation of the thin, pocket-like membrane (called the pericardium) that surrounds and protects the heart.
The German Heart Foundation says that the causes of pericarditis are viruses and bacteria that travel to the heart through the blood or blood vessels and settle there.
The causes also include rheumatism, kidney failure, metabolic disorders (hypothyroidism, hypercholesterolemia), heart attack, heart surgeries, tumors and radiotherapy.
Causes of sudden cardiac arrest in young people (Al-Jazeera)
Symptoms of pericarditis
fever
sweating
chest pain
shortness of breath
Arrhythmia
Fluid buildup in the legs
General feeling of being unwell
Pericarditis treatment
The German Heart Foundation stressed the need to consult a doctor immediately after noticing these symptoms in order to undergo treatment in a timely manner, because this inflammation may pose a threat to life.
Treatment of pericarditis includes anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and diuretics, and in severe cases, surgery is required, as is the case when severe scarring of the connective tissue in the pericardium appears due to chronic inflammation.