Pericarditis

The pericardium is a thin membrane covering the heart, consisting of two layers. The visceral pericardium (meaning adjacent to the organ) is the inner layer, closely adhering to the heart, while the parietal pericardium is the outer layer. Between the visceral and parietal layers, there is serous fluid that lubricates the myocardium. The pericardium prevents the heart from rubbing against the chest cavity and getting injured during activity. Pericarditis is an inflammation of the visceral and parietal layers of the pericardium. It can occur independently or concurrently with myocarditis and endocarditis. Typical symptoms include chest pain, which worsens with coughing or changes in body position. If the condition progresses without timely treatment, increased pericardial effusion and fluid accumulation can lead to severe complications such as cardiac tamponade, which can be life-threatening.