heart and blood vessel disorders
Chronic Pericarditis
Symptoms of Chronic Pericarditis
Symptoms include Shortness of breath Coughing Fatigue Shortness of breath and coughing occur because the high pressure in the veins of the lungs forces fluid into the air sacs. Fatigue occurs because the abnormal pericardium interferes with the heart's pumping action, so that the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. Other common symptoms are accumulation of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) and in the legs (edema). Sometimes fluid accumulates in the space between the two layers of the pleura, the membranes covering the lungs (a condition called Pleural Effusion ). Chronic pericarditis does not usually cause pain. Sometimes the inflammation occurs without symptoms. Chronic effusive pericarditis may cause few symptoms if fluid accumulates slowly. When fluid accumulates slowly, the pericardium can stretch gradually, so that symptoms caused by severe pressure on the heart ( Cardiac Tamponade ) may not develop. However, if fluid accumulates rapidly, or the pericardium is not able to stretch sufficiently, the heart can become compressed and cardiac tamponade may occur. 