A common symptom of pericarditis is chest pain, caused by the sac's layers becoming inflamed and possibly rubbing against the heart. It may feel like pain from a heart attack. If you have chest pain, call 911 right away because you may be having a heart attack.

When should I be worried about pericarditis?

Although the pain can be scary, pericarditis isn't dangerous for most people, and the symptoms resolve on their own. If you're worried the chest pain is a heart attack, seek care right away.

Is pericarditis an emergency?

Acute pericarditis can also represent a medical emergency due to chest pain of upsetting intensity. Decompensations in chronic advanced constriction and in the clinical course of purulent pericarditis necessitate critical care as well.