Everything You Need To Know About Pericarditis

In this video I review the causes or etiology or pericarditis, how we diagnose pericarditis, how to treat pericarditis including the medications we use, and possible long-term complications of pericarditis. This video is perfect for medical trainees to review before rounds or for patients and family members who have questions about their diagnosis. For shorter educational videos check out my content on TikTok (@KittyKatzMD).
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[@Sinekyre14]

I appreciate a real doctor giving real advice on youtube. Most people who pretend to be doctors here are chiropractors. It is shocking.

[@stephenraynes2148]

Wow. Diagnosed this New Years Day in Queenstown, New Zealand and the conversation with the emergency doctor went exactly like this. Every detail you've mentioned was explained to me in the same way. That's amazing to hear it spelled out the same.

[@MarcKatzMD]

Happy to hear you had a great doctor helping take care of you. Hope you’re doing well down in New Zealand!

[@sophietrethewey373]

@@MarcKatzMD I was also diagnosed this year, they think it was either the covid vaccine or a covid infection, even though I tested negative. I had myocarditis it was really hard the recovery, fortunately made it through and getting my final check up and eco in two weeks. I am also in NZ. I think the main thing is doctors say 3 months recovery, but for me it was 7 months and I am 31 with no pre existing conditions. It was super scary and my triponin levels were crazy high, I was in the intensive care for a couple of weeks. The main thing I also found upsetting was not ever knowing the exact cause. For me I just found that quite hard, cause its like ill never have closure. My treatment was 3 month of cholchicine, feusomide and iburopen daily.

[@danyalahmed8144]

​@sophietrethewey373 hi I have pericarditis now, are you well now? I hope so. Was colchicine good? And are your troponin levels normal now? Thanks

[@aliza9608]

Really good video. Clear speaker. Appreciated

[@tomc2962]

G'day mate. Was diagnosed with Pericarditis about 3 months ago. 30yo male. Was having symptoms for some time before that though. Thanks so much for uploading this video. You have provided so much helpful info to help with my recovery. Hopefully will be back surfing, in the gym, training muay thai and hiking soon.

[@MarcKatzMD]

My apologies for the late reply. Hope you are continuing to recover and have been able to stay physically active. Happy you found this video helpful!

[@Indiansikh2020]

Hi Tom I got diagnosed with peri too , was runner and Muay Thai training, wondering how you recovering ? Are you healed or still recovering? Thanks

[@tomc2962]

@@Indiansikh2020 Hey mate. Been exactly 12 months since getting Peri. I am about 80% recovered. Taking Colchicine twice per day which really helps. I had no scar tissue or fluid around my heart thankfully. Thumping chest really is reduced from Colchicine. Sharp stabbing pain also reduced from Colchicine. I am doing 10,000 steps per day walking, keeping HR under 100BPM, also doing 3 sets of 6 pullups each day. Will continue to slowly increase physical exercise. If you have any other questions feel free to send me a message mate.

[@my_RS4]

@@tomc2962how long until the extreme pain went away? This sucks

[@sapodilla25]

This was so clear. I've been getting weird stabbing pains after getting over Covid and I'm going in for an ECG tomorrow. I've had 2 heart surgeries already for congenital problems so they are a bit concerned.

[@MarcKatzMD]

I’m happy this helped! Often we will use a monitor to check for abnormal heart rhythms

[@viktigt123]

Vaccinated?

[@ITSEAZYBOY]

Is it me or are doctors dismissing pericarditus, I nearly died at home not knowing that I just needed anti Inflammatory when i went to the hospital they diagnosed it finally.

[@HolySpirit_7744]

Yesss broooooo

[@moniqueflake2504]

Completely true! I wish I would have had this video earlier, I have dealt with reoccurring pericarditis that i was told at the ER it was reflux, anxiety ect. I felt so dumb… Because I have had several episodes where it felt just like a heart attack! I am only 53, exercise, eat healthy.. and I felt like it shouldn’t be cardiac, but it’s been SO painful. It wasn’t until my husband and I were out of town and I had a bad episode that ended me in the ER again but this time, they involved their cardiac team.. much bigger hospital, admitted me for testing and discovered I had pericarditis. I am starting on the healing journey and hope it doesn’t reoccur, because this will be the 4th time I have had it.

[@joshua9719]

@@moniqueflake2504how is your recovery going so far?

[@moniqueflake2504]

Thank you so much for this video! SO informative. Wish I would have found it earlier! After suffering several different times with this, not knowing what it was, and this last time ended up in the hospital, I am now hoping with proper diagnosis, medication and treatment it won’t come back. I just have to work through the emotional damage of several times being told I was having panic attacks and given muscle relaxants 😞 I am a 53 years old female, I exercise, eat healthy am in good shape and my X-ray, troponin, and EKG looked normal. I have had this re occur 4 times and this last time was SO bad I ended up in the hospital where a cardiac team admitted me and got to the bottom of things. I am so thankful! Now to healing, I sure hope for no more reoccurring episodes!

[@sobialaghari225]

This channel will make me shine at cardiology rotation. So well explained!

[@MarcKatzMD]

Aw that makes me happy 😊

[@IIETMII]

Thanks for all the info doc. I got Pericarditis for the second time last week. The first time was 13 months ago, but the pains went away a couple of days later. The symptoms this time are a lot worse: my chest is quite tight and the stinging pains suck. I’ve been taking 1mg of colchicine twice a day - I was prescribed 0.5mg twice a day on Friday, but after watching your video, I wanted to start with a higher dosage for a week or so. The side effects you spoke about are legit!! The consultant that ran tests on me said I had nothing to worry about despite being “echo bright” after my echo test, (they also did blood tests, a stress test and a couple of ecgs), and he wasn’t even going to prescribe colchicine until I asked him if I needed it. He figured ibuprofen would be enough but then said to take the colchicine if I needed it, for only six weeks! All this being said, he wouldn’t confirm that I was even suffering from pericarditis, and said there was no evidence that I was suffering from acute pericarditis. I’m also taking 800mg of ibuprofen 3 times a day. The pains have subsided slightly the last couple of days but I just wish they were totally gone. It’s scary to think of living with this forever. Thanks again.

[@kguitartunes3869]

Hey, we’re u given colchicine in the initial first attack?

[@IIETMII]

@@kguitartunes3869 yes I was but I didn’t take it for the course as it was causing really bad stomach issues and I had read a study about it causing leaky gut in mice.

[@mofarchoukh5075]

I swear i am going through the same right now, the first time i didnt continue my colchicine and i stopped after 18 days because it was giving me side effects, then i was diagnosed the second time and ive been on colchicine for a month now and still have 2 months to go , while i cannot take ipubrufen properly because i only have 1 functionning kidney , the oast 2 days its been hell i cant sleep at night from the pain , i am only 33 years old and the idea of living with this is scary !! This is hell

[@IIETMII]

@@mofarchoukh5075 I stopped taking the colchicine at the start of the year as it was making me even sicker. Getting sunlight, exercise and eating an anti-inflammatory diet has helped me a lot since then.

[@mofarchoukh5075]

@@IIETMII i dont think i am in a stage where i can exercise at the moment, as my pericardium is still around 4mm and im still suffering from the symptoms and still under medications, but i keep reading and researching because even with colchicine and brufen 600 mg i am still worried about complications of pericarditis and one day i am ok , one day i am not ok , i really do not know what to do

[@tonyc4399]

Love your videos! Thank you teaching us!!

[@petrahansel3964]

Dr. Katz this was an amazing video on pericarditis! You’re a great teacher . Keep up the good work.

[@MarcKatzMD]

Thank you for the feedback! 😊

[@BookofRobert]

I’ve got pericarditis and this video was the medicine this is my hope right here thank you take my money

[@user-fd3mj4li4q]

Pls advise me that medicine.

[@BookofRobert]

@@user-fd3mj4li4q the pericarditis was an infection around my heart listen to me you need antibiotics and aspirin those too took away the inflammation sir and I've been fine ever since good luck

[@shadowzone1978]

My partner got it after the guest P vac. 18 months on still on both those drugs and has been in hospital 7 times. Help!

[@mimipravda6833]

Thank you so muchfpr explaining! I’ve been diagnosed yesterday and hoping to recover soon

[@susanhillier1510]

Thankyou for the video. Makes it easier to understand.

[@astidavis9651]

Been hospitalized twice for this recently a few days ago and they just said I’ll be better in a few days.. I still couldn’t breathe when they discharged me! 😮

[@kungfukenny1540]

How are you doing now?

[@qtsuz2]

I as just diagnosed with this about 3 weeks ago. I had covid on January 7 and started getting the pain in the upper back radiating up to my neck, left shoulder, and chest. The stabbing pain was worse when I took deep breaths and layer down. I was prescribed Colchicine but they started me off at 0.6 MG and gave me Zofran. The side effects aren't the best but the pain is getting less. Thank you for explaining it so throughly.

[@brizadv763]

I had covid last month on the 13th. I just went to hospital 2 days ago.. first day I was in alot of pain. 2nd day it was not as bad. ButT today I'm feeling it bad. I'm scared to be honest

[@my_RS4]

Sounds same as me. Neck pain/aches then went down to chest area and was hard to get a full breath in without crazy pain. I'm on meds prescribed by my ER Doc so I really this goes away soon. It sucks! Also, I learned, not to push yourself, honestly just rest up!

[@susanschroeder3512]

Thank you so much for your very calm and factual presentation. I enjoy the great outdoors, cycling, blading, jog, yardwork, etc. Had 3 stabbing incidents of pain and could not take a breath so my MD listened. Echocardiogram show trace peri-carido effusion. Also, Lung Cat scan show atelectasis . Well, I read reports and see they can occur together, makes sense. I am not afraid except for my special needs son. I am grateful turning 65 cuz they do ALL these what you perceive to be 'pain in but' tests, that actually turn out to be life-saving!!! You have no idea even a healthy lifestyle once older, can possibly make things worse cuz you feel so good you do MORE and maybe without knowledge of your actual medical status!! Signed, A CT Fan!

[@MarcKatzMD]

Certainly true that very healthy (and particularly young) patients can compensate so much that they don’t realize they’re sick. Happy to hear my video helped and that you’re doing well!

[@user-yt3vo6tw5v]

Great explanation, and incidentally, my cardiologist isn't keen to put me on steroids either. That said, my rhumatologist does prescribe them because I also have Lupus sle, and admittedly feel tons better. Ive been on colchicine for the last 5 yrs plus, reduced to 1 a day. Im also on Plaquenil. I just can't tolerate Solpadine with 30mg codeine but i can Pragiola. Developing pericarditis on top of diastolic heart failure is really painful. 💔

[@SlavicaChuru]

Hi Dr. Katz. I'm a 31 yo female, and had some chest pains over the course of the last year which came and went. I dismissed them as stomach related and acid reflux. I started to suspect some heart problems last week because I noticed that when the chest pains came (usually at night when I laid down) my heart was racing too, so I went to see a cardiologist. He did an echo and said I had a thickened pericardium which was probably caused by some previous infection (I had COVID twice during the last year, plus 4 other undetermined respiratory infections). The Dr. gave me ibuprofen (2x400mg) and pantoprazole (20mg) for 10 days and said there's nothing to worry about, and I can resume with my regular activities. I asked them if I could continue hiking, he said yes. But then I saw on the report the diagnosis was Chronic Pericarditis. There's little information (mostly worrying) about this online. Should I be concerned? What should I do? Is there a chance that the doctor was wrong, and I have an acute or recurrent form? They gave me a picture of the echo on which you can see the pericardium as a bright line

[@MarcKatzMD]

You should talk to your cardiologist

[@vsakin]

Very well explained. Thanks a lot.

[@rjsantiago7551]

Great great great information, thanks.

[@AlphaWorldFitness]

Thank you! This was very helpful 👊🏼

[@shahzadahmadshahzadahmad5133]

Very informative

[@000ana111]

Thank you so much!

[@lt6664]

Thank U, I'm in hospital with PERICARDIAL EFFUSION/ PERICARDITIS WITH MICRO DAMAGE TO ESOPHAGUS

[@BookofRobert]

How you feeling

[@smallhouseinthemeadow6131]

Thank you for this video.I was given Cholchasine and Ibuprofen, but I also had a heart attack on December 10th,so I am afraid to take the Ibuprofen and haven't started it yet...My heart attack was from paroxysmal hypertension and was an NSTEMI2,not caused by a blockage (although I do have a 30 percent blockage). The heart attack was caused by COVID and the following day I had Myocarditis, periocardial effusion and then I got COVID pneumonia and bacterial pneumonia. I came home and was recovering and went back to the ED and was diagnosed with pericarditis. It's all a little overwhelming. The heart attack I had last July was caused by the paroxysmal hypertension from Long COVID. My BP goes from being perfectly normal too 230 /117 for now apparent reason. I also suffer from hyponatremia from the long COVID. My symptoms are coming in waves. I feel like I'm getting better and then I feel like I need to go back to the hospital but when I rest I feel better again.

[@Mrmarginofsafety]

Excellent information my Cardio and Electro didn't share pre Hybrid Convergent Ablation. Can you speak to me about post operative HCA Pericaditis and pericardial effusion. Thanks

[@micoteddy7579]

Thank you for this. Hoping to get better soon. Why is it that exercise is not recommended when diagnosed with acute pericarditis?

[@mitchellbandiera8745]

Thank you so much for your information, very different to what I was told in emergency two days ago after being diagnosed. I was prescribed 9x200g ibuprofen a day and 2x 200mg of pantoprazole in the morning. but the pantoprazole has made me incredibly itchy all over is there anything else I can take to protect my stomach lining? I was diagnosed with pancreatitis last year after knee surgery from all the anti imflams prescribed. Would you say that there is a more holistic way to treat pericarditis with Tumeric ? I'm 30 years old fit and healthy. and I don't see this going away anytime soon. any guidance would be appreciated. thanks, Mitch

[@alyssia444]

Check out the channel “pericarditis sucks” here on KZbin he has had success in using turmeric and not elevating his pulse with strenuous exercise

[@brittanyknowles503]

Love this video

[@elliscaffa5646]

Hi, thanks so much for this video, really helping! I was diagnosed 3 days ago with pericarditis and still struggling a bit with how to form my recovery proces. I'm quite sporty and normally do cardio 6 times per week. I have questions about what I can or can't do with physical exercise. Like can I still try to do some small muscle workout, if I try to keep my heartrate lower than 100? I can't really find a lot of information about this online, about what you can do as a patient to recover as good as possible. Hope you can help with that. Thankyou!

[@kristijankaradzovski20]

Great video

[@MarcKatzMD]

Ty!

[@jepope1543]

Thank you for sharing. May I ask, I know several people who have been diagnosed with pericarditis recently and some have been prescribed steroids while others have not - why is this?

[@DingusDonuts]

Is there a recommended diet for pericarditis? I was recently diagnosed with it and have been taking advil + colchicine.

[@MarcKatzMD]

Nothing that’s been scientifically proven to help

[@TheKiddGamer]

I got diagnosed with acute pericarditis just a few days ago, haven't really dealt with some of the things other people have been complaining about. I have been a long distance runner for 14 years however I been drinking caffeine lately. My heart rate is already low and strong, I been sleeping well and everything but I'm still worried

[@adventuresofjandk]

You still able to run?

[@TheKiddGamer]

@@adventuresofjandk Yes I am, all this crap happened in February and its currently November...I found out long ago I was misdiagnosed. My chest issues are stomach related, currently working with doctors to figure it out. I haven't ran as much in 8 months but when I do it's as if nothing happened

[@adventuresofjandk]

@@TheKiddGamer that is crazy. Who would have thought stomach issues would cause chest pain?

[@TheKiddGamer]

@@adventuresofjandk I definitely didn't know it could happen. Most signs point towards acid reflux being my issue, but I'm still going to work with the doctors to figure this out. I was given ibuprofen when I believed it was chest related to peracarditis...but ibuprofen and acid reflux don't mix, made my symptoms seem worse than what they actually were, so I stopped taking it and started treating my body as if I had acid reflux and everything slowly got back to normal

[@Brenda-pu6jl]

Hi, I am 60 years old female I had open heart surgery in 2019 out of hospital for 1 week then I got pericarditis I have had it off and on now for over 3 years I take the meds that helps then it goes away. I have had it now for 1 month the meds not working that good I have had so many tests trying to find out why I keep getting it back, but all my test has come back fine. I don't know what to do as I am so over it.

[@amymtaylor86]

Can burning chest pain that radiates to arm and back be something you’d feel in pericarditis?

[@MarcKatzMD]

Generally speaking that is not ‘typical’ for pericarditis but anything is possible. Chest pain/discomfort can have multiple different etiologies

[@taffiejames1496]

Hi from 🇬🇧. I had pericarditis in 2018, very easy recovery on colchicine. The second attack was feb 2023. I spent 1 night at first in hospital, then 4 nights back in hospital while on the sterods you mentioned and colchicine tablets. I now am suffering with pericarditis for a 3rd time, 2nd time in less than a year, i have been given colchicine tablets again. The hospital does not seemed concerned or interseted in my recurrence of pericarditis. Would you have advice PLEASE?

[@MarcKatzMD]

You should talk to your cardiologist

[@Ray_Reverse9]

I’m 20 and been dealing with it for about two weeks now it slowed down some but I’m still not mentally the same does this stuff get better and will I have to live the rest of my life like this?

[@heidi5942]

Do you have any thoughts on the recent usage of Interleukin-1 inhibitors?

[@MarcKatzMD]

They work well when used appropriately

[@claudiarey8984]

I have those symptoms right feel so bad I had to sleep almost sitting down is horrible 😫

[@brizadv763]

I'm so scared I have this now first day I was in so much pain. Second day started feeling not as bad 3rd day I'm in alot of pain scared to go to hospital. I'm taking colchicine and ib

[@brizadv763]

I'm literally sitting here thinking should I go back to hospital. But they will keep me. And that place is know as the death zone. They said my brother was going to pass away. My dad sent him to Pittsburgh and he survived and is still alive years later..

[@MarcKatzMD]

@@brizadv763 sorry to hear that. If you have a physician I would communicate your concerns with them or seek immediate medical attention in the ED

[@asiunan89]

Thanks for the informative video. I'm about 1.5 months into colchine treatment. I also just finished my NSAIDs 1800mg a day treatment and tapering off. Do you expect pericarditis recovery to just get better each month or is it up and down?. I feel still flat only slightly better since I've had it which is now over a month but it seems to be and when sleeping flat and also early in the morn.

[@MarcKatzMD]

Typically gets better with time. Follow up with your physician and talk to them about your symptoms

[@HakunGaming]

Great video! What about the way of living after the infection has gone? Correct me if I'm wrong, a pericarditis patient is more likely to develop an infection or liquid again in the future than a non pericarditis patient, so how should I behave after I'm finished with my treatment and everything is okay? Can I workout intensively? Can I run? Can I party? How am I supposed to live so I won't be in this situation again?

[@MarcKatzMD]

Great questions. Firstly- talk to your doc. Every patient is different. Generally speaking, if you have complete recovery you should be able to get back to your normal way of life in no time. But again, everyone is different and would talk to your doctor about your specific disease course and recovery

[@jennifersinger3493]

Same question

[@my_RS4]

This is a great question! Whenever this goes away I will be a super happy man!!!

[@RealRad10]

I’m 16 and having like derealisation feelings and I have an ectopic heartbeat. Could this be to do with that, because I feel normal some days and then I feel completely brain fogged and I have to try and concentrate more on simple things

[@jamesblevins7115]

I had covid in January. Diagnosed in March with pericarditis by my cardiologist. Took mitigare and nsaid but had to stop the mitigare and nsaids due the stomach vomiting kidney issues and feeling very sick all the time. I wish I could get well but it looks like I'm eventually going to get worse.

[@DingusDonuts]

Can I get an update on your situation? I'm also experiencing the same thing, the NSAID I've been taking for almost a month now has been ruining my stomach.

[@jamesblevins7115]

@@DingusDonuts well i take naproxyn sodium and bp med losartin and due to severe anxiety I take xanax. My rehab nurse listened to my heart with a stethoscope friday and could still hear a slight rub but she said it is getting a bit better week by week. I have no clue as to my future and I have days I just wanna give up and I have days I wanna fight this horrible situation many of us covid survivors are facing everyday. My best advice is to not read about all this 24/7 like I did and make yourself more sick. Go to a good cardiologist and let time heal your body. Look into exercises and focus on the vagus nerve and find something for the inflamation your body is hanging onto. Take care and God Bless

[@DingusDonuts]

@@jamesblevins7115 Thank you for the response. I'm going to get a checkup tomorrow and i'll ask my doctor about taking alternative medicine for the inflammation. Wishing you a healthy and fast recovery. We got this.

[@jamesblevins7115]

@@DingusDonuts we just have to deal with this as it comes. Nobody asked to get covid it just came for us. We have to support each other and share our experience and talk about what works and what doesn't. I could give up and stop fighting but my instinct is to fight this with all my might.

[@kyles5513]

All I know is I got this a week ago and it starts hurting if I eat a big bowl of ice cream the night before. Every time. So I guess stay away from inflammatory foods like sugar and fat.

[@duncan1930]

Just saw this video, had a myxoma removed from my heart 6 months ago and about a month and a half post op I had my first flare up and diagnosis of pericarditis. Had a second one about 5 weeks after, then completely stopped exercise and waited until I was off Motrin and colchicine. Once off started slowly getting back to exercise and roughly a month of exercise I had another flare up I felt while working out however this was much more mild. Back on colchicine for 6 weeks and started doing very light exercise. With the research I’ve done I’m terrified to know if this is something I’m going to have to live with? Or atleast have for several years?

[@ggvirus5264]

this is exactly the treatment I got in Italy. I had it from 2015 to 2019. About 14 times, I don't how many other times I may have asymptomatic episodes tho. However, I got after I started running for month after a 10 years of fully sedentary and party life. I don't know if the body stored stuff in fat mass. Does the heart contain fat perhaps?

[@philellul3898]

What country you in doc

[@deloresc8798]

Hi, I am on Colchicine but cannot take NSAIDS due to stomach cramping and gastric bypass. Can you recommend something else for the severe pain? Tylenol does not work!

[@MarcKatzMD]

I can’t give personalized medical advise over the internet. You should call your physician or seek immediate medical attention at the nearest emergent department

[@SOYEDDIESCHOBERTOF]

Doc can acute pericarditis cause a low heart rate or a arrhythmia?

[@MarcKatzMD]

It can cause arrhythmias. Doesn’t typically cause bradycardia

[@SOYEDDIESCHOBERTOF]

@@MarcKatzMDthank you so much, so in my case the doctors are saying that it is the reason that my heart rate it’s dropping at night to like 49 heart beat per second 😢 so something else might be wrong with me? I have done every test to the heart that you can do down here in Mexico.

[@MarcKatzMD]

@SOYEDDIESCHOBERTOF physiologic night time bradycardia can be normal

[@SOYEDDIESCHOBERTOF]

God bless doctor🥹 thanks for the info

[@harprit1989]

Hi Doctor, have you heard about Arcalyst(Rilonacept) treatment to cure recurrent pericarditis? I heard ppl are healing permanently? Any leads or reviews on this ?

[@MarcKatzMD]

Rilonacept and anakinra are typically reserved for patients who are refractory to typical NSAID plus colchicine therapy and may be corticosteroid dependent. It is not a first line medication and needs to be discussed with your physician

[@adventuresofjandk]

Great video. I had a valve replaced at the Cleveland Clinic about 5 years ago. Got an infection that nearly killed me. Once released I had bad chest pain when I lied down. Local cardiologists diagnosed me with pericarditis. Fast fat few years and it always seems to come back after about a year or so and normally after a workout. My ekg and c protein are 100% normal. Any chance it could be something other than pericarditis? Wouldn’t something need to show it’s actually pericarditis? No test they ever did determined it 100%. Could it just be am out of shape and that is the reason for the heart pain?

[@MarcKatzMD]

Sorry you went through the ringer- it’s never easy when someone suffers complications of any surgery or procedure. To be frank- I don’t know. When you’re a hammer everything looks like a nail. So a cardiologist’s perspective is likely going to skew to cardiac etiologies. That being said, every cardiologist is also trained in internal medicine because to be a good cardiologist you also have to know general internal medicine as well. So it’s possible you can certainly have an atypical presentation of a common diagnosis like pericarditis. It’s also possible that it can be some other etiology. Perhaps a complication of your complication(?). Long story short- yes it’s certainly possible. And certainly sounds atypical. Got yourself a tough case! I’d ask your cardiologist this exact question and see what they think

[@viviandavid2281]

I have been on colchine for 1year,,,and still have recurring headaches,,pls advice on this..

[@MarcKatzMD]

Unfortunately I cannot give out personalized medical advise on the internet. I strongly recommend you speak with your physician about your concerns

[@pikusarker1359]

Sir how much money will you make as a cardiologist? Nice video.

[@MarcKatzMD]

Non-invasive cardiologist salaries, along with salaries of all doctors, vary depending on location, practice setting, and years of experience. The average starting salaries for non-invasive cardiology is somewhere around $350k/year. But again, a lot of variation based on the above criteria and context

[@NA-wk6cs]

Hello, I was put on Colchicine 2 x 0.5 twice a day last month after severe reaction to the Pfizer vaccine. It was causing a lot of cramping and diarrhea. I took it down to 1 x 0.5 a day but was never told about adding ibuprofen. Is it too late to add it into my daily dose? If so, will a month be okay as mentioned in the video? My GP isn’t too sure and now I’m looking into a new doctor as she expressed that she is not familiar with the condition.

[@MarcKatzMD]

Unfortunately I cannot provide personalized medical advise over the internet so I cannot comment on NSAID use. Generally speaking, diarrhea is a common side effect of colchicine. I would communicate this side effect with your physician. Often, generally speaking, when patients have diarrhea that is due to colchicine we may change the dose or frequency in order to allow our patients to tolerate taking it and allow us to continue to treat the underlying condition. Sorry you are dealing with this issue but I hope you feel better soon. Talk to your physician. Can’t hurt to get a second opinion!

[@Harshitp000]

Can I recover from tubercular constrictive pericarditis without surgery?

[@MarcKatzMD]

I don’t know. You should talk to your physician

[@lazyrose7952]

Should one with pericarditis participate in any type of physical fitness while treatment is occurring?

[@MarcKatzMD]

Depends case by case. I typically tell patients to listen to their bodies but not to start training for their first marathon immediately but also not to be on strict bed rest. Generally speaking, patients can typically maintain normal physical activity levels as they tolerate. But it depends

[@user-xc4eh4kp9n]

Hello Marc, can a CTA of coronary artery exams detect pericarditis around your heart? Based on your other presentation, this exam is used to detect the calcium in your arteries. What test can one take to see if they truly suffering from either pericarditis or clogged arteries? They are not one of the same? I'm only asking for your medical opinion since I don't know.

[@MarcKatzMD]

I have a complete separate video on pericarditis. It is not well visualized on CT scan. A coronary CT angiogram along with a CACS can show blockages

[@Antique803]

My symptoms go away when i lay down. What could that be?

[@MarcKatzMD]

I cannot answer questions about your personal medical conditions over the Internet. Please talk to your physician

[@anthonynwokedi7947]

I was diagnosed with pericarditis 2 months ago and it's still there, how long does it last

[@MarcKatzMD]

Typically resolves over several months. Make sure you follow up with your cardiologist!

[@frankdineronwamara7565]

I treated with ibuprofen 600 mlg. Then colcecine for 3months test it still came back. Pls what do I do?

[@MarcKatzMD]

As described in detail in this video, that is generally exactly how we treat pericarditis. I would talk to your doctor if you have any questions pertaining to your personal medical care

[@Mayamiii]

Talk to your doctor and see if there are other meds than can help! Anakinra is one of them, Another soultion is immunglobulins iv for recurrent pericarditis.

[@MsTrueHappiness]

My cardiologist went straight to prednisone and nothing else. Oh my gosh!!

[@MarcKatzMD]

Yikes 😳 I’ll acknowledge sometimes it is necessary to use prednisone in specific cases depending on the patient. But for basic ‘textbook’ pericarditis it is not a typical first line therapy

[@MsTrueHappiness]

@@MarcKatzMD thank you. I’ve been on it for about a week. I start with a new cardiologist next week. I’m hoping this hasn’t allowed more damage to happen

[@MarcKatzMD]

@@MsTrueHappiness it’ll prob be okay. Prednisone treats it well but it has a far higher risk of recurrence compared to colchicine. Would discuss with cardiologist and see what they think!

[@alyssia444]

That’s what happened to me in 2018…now have recurrent pericarditis to date, just getting over another flare up. Have seen other doctors since and they put me in naproxen and colchicine no more steroids and I was only on prednisone for a month

[@MsTrueHappiness]

@@alyssia444 I’ve had a recurrence since getting off prednisone and went to a new cardiologist. Now I’m on colchicine and ibuprofen. Wishing this would just go away

[@joecardona3809]

Will it heal by its self

[@MarcKatzMD]

Medical therapies increase that chance

[@kristijankaradzovski20]

Hello, A have a question that has been bothering me for couple of weeks... I had pericarditis for three months and now on echo and mri it is gone, also on blood tests. I have pericardial thickening of 4mm now, also constant low pain, feel my heart beat and fatique(when i lie down) Is it possible to have constrictive pericarditis(mild constriction) that interferes with heart so little that it wont show all simptomps of construction, but will definetly make you fell pain and fatique all the time ? Any experience with theese ?

[@kristijankaradzovski20]

Bonus questions: Does thickened pericardium will lubricate the pericardium after resolution of the inflamation? Can you exercise(light or moderate cardio) with thickened pericardium?

[@MarcKatzMD]

In general, constriction is going to be evident on imaging. I’m sorry I can’t give more details but I can’t comment on patient specific cases online. Would follow up with your physician to further discuss your specific case

[@joecardona3809]

Will it goe away byitself

[@MarcKatzMD]

If it’s clinically significant enough to cause symptoms it should be treated

[@kalimkhan4697]

Since last 6months i have been facing symptoms of this but not confirmed it is pericarditis or something else I have already done ECG and CT Coronary Angiography and Stress test too but nothing has come out while my RCA have 60% blockage. can you please confirm what it is I am suffering from ? Sir

[@MarcKatzMD]

I cannot give out personalized medical advise on the internet

[@kalimkhan4697]

@@MarcKatzMD Sir Can you please suggest how to connect with you for the same

[@lyinxfrost9677]

What if you have pericarditis and recently had a TIA?

[@MarcKatzMD]

With regards to what specifically?

[@lyinxfrost9677]

@@MarcKatzMD It's my understanding that to treat pericarditis you use NSAIDs but those also increase risk of stroke, which is already higher after a TIA. I hope I'm not in a situation where I must effectively choose to preserve either my heart or my brain.

[@cjam3660]

non pill, natural way to heal this please ??? we are what we est, sooo what do we eat and drink to cure??

[@kyles5513]

Stay away from inflammatory foods like sugar and refined grains. And alcohol.

[@CHATTHA306]

I also want to heal it naturally pls help

[@kyles5513]

@@CHATTHA306 I had this for one week after seeing the doctor. Supposed to take high dose ibuprofen for 3 weeks. By the beginning of week 2 it's not only better, it's basically 100% cured. Absolutely no symptoms. Just Google what the best anti inflammatory foods are and load up on those and stay away from foods that cause inflammation. Also omega 3 is an absolute game changer for inflammation so take lots of that, krill oil is the best imo. Also CBD oil is very helpful. Don't rely on doctors, just do your own research and you'll find that you can use food as medicine and not drugs. Plus try not to get your heart rate going because that could agitate it also. Hope this helps.

[@tray6885]

Im on colchicine since Wednesday every 6 hours I take one tablet then the second week I take 2 tablets every 6 hours this chest pain is the worst its very uncomfortable I’m not sure if i can take 1 tablet of ibuprofen just to reduce the pain?

[@MarcKatzMD]

You should talk to your doctor. Typically patients take both colchicine and an NSAID together in the beginning of treatment

[@tray6885]

@@MarcKatzMD I’ve heard they interact together

[@MarcKatzMD]

@@tray6885 not sure what you mean but it’s standard of care

[@tray6885]

@@MarcKatzMD i ask my nearest pharmacist they said not to take ibuprofen for acute pericarditis symptoms they told me just stick to colchicine i can take paracetamol instead of ibuprofen

[@Blackjemstone]

I’m 23, Not my cardiologist not even talking about colchicine. I was given 81 aspirin and a pat on the back the first time. Second time I figured out Advil did the trick on my own 💀👍🏾 they don’t even act like it’s that serious till I saw this video. Heart surgeryyyy?

[@epifaniastaana3023]

Just today the doctor out my drainage because of pericardial effusion. Is this problem occur again or will back. Please help me need your advice what I will do in order i will be cure

[@MarcKatzMD]

As detailed in the video, we use meds like colchicine and NSAIDs to prevent recurrence but there’s always a chance it can come back. As always, for questions pertaining to your specific medical care talk to your doctor!

[@BarryMaskell]

Pfizercarditis

[@MarcKatzMD]

Yes I agree- the risk of myocarditis is significantly lower after Covid vaccination than in natural infections

[@buckscountyjoe765]

Volume is terrible, info is great.

[@MarcKatzMD]

Still perfecting the recording and editing process (clearly). Thanks for the feedback

[@dond8070]

Great video