New to MyHealth?
Manage Your Care From Anywhere.
Access your health information from any device with MyHealth. You can message your clinic, view lab results, schedule an appointment, and pay your bill.
ALREADY HAVE AN ACCESS CODE?
DON'T HAVE AN ACCESS CODE?
NEED MORE DETAILS?
MyHealth for Mobile
Get the iPhone MyHealth app »
Get the Android MyHealth app »
Pericarditis
What is pericarditis?
Pericarditis is swelling and irritation of the pericardium, which is the sac that surrounds your heart.
Pericarditis usually doesn't cause serious problems. Most people get better in 7 to 10 days. When there are problems, they may include:
- A buildup of fluid in the pericardial sac (pericardial effusion).
- Sudden pressure on the heart and sudden difficulty pumping enough blood (called cardiac tamponade). This can be caused by the weight and pressure of the fluid buildup if it happens quickly.
- Constrictive pericarditis, in which the sac around the heart gets thick and stiff. This makes it harder for the heart to pump blood.
INTERESTED IN AN ONLINE SECOND OPINION?
The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!
Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.
Pericarditis
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the heart’s protective membrane, causing chest pain. Viral infections are likely a common cause of pericarditis.
Pericarditis
inflammation of the pericardium