Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium (the fibrous sac surrounding the heart). A characteristic chest pain is often present. The disease can be acute or chronic.

The causes of pericarditis is most often due to a viral infection. Other causes include bacterial infections such as tuberculosis, uremic pericarditis, after a heart attack, cancer, and chest trauma. It may also occur due to an unknown cause. Diagnosis is made based on the chest pain, a pericardial rub, specific ECG changes, and fluid around the heart.