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	Related conditions   - Cardiac arrest   - Atrial fibrillation   - Cardiomyopathy   - Heart attack   - Congestive heart failure   - Heart murmur   - Pericarditis   - High blood pressure   - Angina   - Aneurysm, aortic   - Arrhythmias

Pericarditis

The pericardium is the sac-like covering of the heart. Pericarditis is inflammation of this covering, which causes pain as it rubs against the heart. The condition can be temporary, chronic and/or life-threatening. Pericarditis can be caused by infection or from trauma to the heart, chest or esophagus (the food tube connecting the mouth and stomach).

Respiratory infection is a common cause of pericarditis, particularly in men ages 20-50. Sometimes pericarditis occurs after a heart attack, cancer or radiation therapy to the chest. Over time, the pericardium can become scarred and less elastic. As a result, the chambers of the heart cannot fill completely with blood and pump less blood to the rest of the body. Congestive heart failure may occur as blood backs up behind the heart.

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