‘Pericarditis does not get enough attention’ heart doctor warns

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - UVA Health experts are bringing awareness to a heart condition called pericarditis.

That’s when the tissue around the heart becomes inflamed.

“Pericarditis does not get enough attention,” UVA Cardiologist Dr. Antonio Abbate.

Abbate says pericarditis can show in the form of chest pain and shortness of breath and it can affect anyone.

“We’ve seen a lot of pericarditis with COVID,” Abbate said. “It can come with side effects of medications, like those that are used for cancer. It could also be associated with the use of vaccines, the list is pretty long.”

Recurrent pericarditis is rare, but doctors are still looking for a solution.

Abbate says if left untreated it can be fatal.

“It creates a constriction of the heart and this usually evolves over time,” Abbate said. “The heart is now surrounded by a stiff layer rather than a flexible layer. It can simulate or cause heart failure and can cause liver failure.”

The disease is treatable with over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen. Athletes with it need to dial back on intense activity.

“Fortunately, most of the cases of pericarditis independent of what the cause is will respond to treatment and go away and never come back,” Abbate said.

Abbate says people can go back to enjoying life after treatment but must ease back into their regular routines.

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