The pericardium is a two-layered membrane that surrounds the heart. In pericarditis, this membrane becomes inflamed, usually due to infection, but sometimes as a result of a heart attack; an inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis; the spread of cancer from another site; or damage from an injury.
Pericarditis may come on suddenly (acute) or be persistent (chronic). Acute pericarditis typically causes pain in the center of the chest and may be mistaken for a heart attack.
In chronic pericarditis, the pericardium becomes scarred and contracts around the heart, preventing the heart from beating normally. In both types of pericarditis, fluid may build up between the pericardial layers, a condition called pericardial effusion.
This fluid build-up may stop the heart from beating effectively and lead to heart failure. Pericarditis may be treated with medication or surgery

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