Diagnosis

The doctor will examine you and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history.

During the exam, the doctor will place a stethoscope on your chest to listen to your heart sounds. Pericarditis causes a specific sound, called a pericardial rub. The noise occurs when the two layers of the sac surrounding your heart (pericardium) rub against each other.

Blood tests are usually done to check for signs of a heart attack, inflammation and infection. Other tests used to diagnose pericarditis include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG). An electrocardiogram is a quick and painless test that records the electrical signals in your heart. Sticky patches (electrodes) with wires attached connect to a monitor. They record the electrical signals that make your heart beat. A computer records the information and displays it as waves on a monitor or on paper.
• Chest X-ray. A chest X-ray can show changes in the size and shape of your heart. The images may show an enlarged heart if excess fluid has collected in the pericardium.
• Echocardiogram. Sound waves (ultrasound) create images of the moving heart. Your doctor can use this test to see how well your heart is pumping blood and if there is fluid buildup in the pericardium.
• Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan. Cardiac CT scans use X-rays to create images of your heart and chest. The test can be used to look for thickening that may be a sign of constrictive pericarditis. Your doctor may order this test to rule out other causes of sudden chest pain, such as a blood clot in a lung (pulmonary embolus) or a tear in your aorta (aortic dissection).
• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cardiac MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create cross-sectional images of your heart that can reveal thickening, inflammation or other changes in the pericardium.