Symptoms of PERICARDITIS, ACUTE

Acute pericarditis produces chest pain. Like a heart attack, the pain may radiate into the neck or left arm. At times, the pain may radiate into the back or upper abdomen. Typically, the pain worsens with movement and eases when sitting up or leaning forward. Acute pericarditis can lead to rapid breathing, shortness of breath and cough. Fever and chills may develop. Constrictive pericarditis can limit the ability of the heart to expand and fill with blood. This can lead to generalized weakness, exercise intolerance and marked fatigue. In addition, acute pericarditis can lead to the development of large quantities of fluid within the pericardial sac. This fluid, like constrictive pericarditis, can limit the ability of the heart to function.