When you have recurrent pericarditis, or pericarditis that comes back after you have no symptoms for at least 4 weeks, it's important to know that you can have flare-ups. While there are many things that can raise the odds of these flares, there are ways to track and avoid your triggers. If you know these tips, along with the right questions to ask your doctor, you can better keep your flares under control.
Triggers for Recurrent Pericarditis Flares
Besides the risk factors that lead to pericarditis, certain things can trigger its symptoms.
Corticosteroids. These medications are commonly used to control pericarditis pain and fluid buildup around the heart in people who can't take NSAIDs or don't get help from them. Studies show that in some instances, they can cause the disease to flare up. Since your body may rely on them to manage symptoms, your doctor will take you off of them slowly if you need to stop this medication.
Exercise. Exercise is shown to worsen pericarditis symptoms and could trigger a flare-up. A fast heartbeat, especially one that goes above 100 beats per minute, stresses the pericardium and causes it to become more inflamed.
Food choices. Some foods can make inflammation worse. Because inflammation is what causes recurrent pericarditis, eating a lot of these foods may raise your chances of a flare.
Heat. Heat can strain anyone's heart, but it can be especially tough if you have a heart condition like recurrent pericarditis. Heat causes your heart to beat faster and pump harder as it tries to get heat out of your body through the skin. Sweating can put more stress on your heart since it draws more heat from the body, along with sodium, potassium, and other minerals. Your body needs these for muscle contractions, nerve transmission, and water balance.
Sleep positions. Your chest pain could get worse depending on how you lie down. Sometimes people have worsening pain and other symptoms when they're lying on their left side in particular.
How to Avoid Flares in Recurrent Pericarditis
Knowing the potential triggers of recurrent pericarditis is the first step to keeping them under control. Then you can put the ways to avoid each of them into practice. These tips can help you better manage any flare-ups:
Know your treatment options. Talk to your doctor about choices to control acute pericarditis symptoms like aspirin, colchicine, or newer medications that trap inflammatory molecules.
Eat anti-inflammatory food. Eat foods like red meat, butter, and alcohol in moderation. Try to add more foods like olive oil, whole grains, fish, fruits, and vegetables to your meals. These foods lower inflammation.
Change your sleep position. If you find that your symptoms get worse when lying down, try sleeping in a less reclined position. It may help to lie on your back or on your right side instead of your left. Sitting up or leaning forward can help ease chest pain.
Steer clear of strenuous activity. Experts suggest you avoid strenuous activity if you have pericarditis until your symptoms resolve.
Stay cool. If you have your doctor's OK to exercise, do it only during the coolest part of the day, usually in the morning or evening. Drink more water than usual. You might also want to eat cool foods like cold soups, fruit, and salads that can lower your core temperature and boost your fluid intake.
Tips for Tracking Your Recurrent Pericarditis Triggers
Keeping tabs on what causes your symptoms to flare up can help you understand your recurrent pericarditis better and figure out the best ways to avoid flare-ups or keep them from getting worse. It can also help your doctor suggest the best treatment for you.
Keep a journal. One of the easiest and best ways to track your triggers is through a symptom journal, where you jot down some key information when you have a flare. Write down any symptoms you're having and for how long you've had them. Also note if you've had similar symptoms that have come and gone in the past. You may also want to document any changes in prescriptions or treatments and when you made those changes.
Use a heart monitor. To track your heart rate, you might want to try a wearable device. These aren't as accurate as the equipment your health care team uses, but they can help you flag anything out of the ordinary.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Recurrent Pericarditis Flares
Everyone's recurrent pericarditis experience is different, so it helps to ask your doctor a few questions about the specific things you're dealing with to get the most helpful information for you.
Disease-specific questions
- Do you know what caused my recurrent pericarditis?
- How long will I need to take medication?
- What are the chances that I’ll get pericarditis again?
- What treatment do you suggest?
- What are the possible side effects of the treatment?
- How soon after treatment should I see my symptoms improve?
- How often will I need follow-up appointments?
Lifestyle questions
- Is it safe for me to drink alcohol? If so, how much?
- Do I have to make any changes to exercise or food choices?
- If I have to pause my exercise routine, when and how can I get back into it?
- Are there any best practices for managing recurrent pericarditis along with my other health conditions?
Show Sources
Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images
SOURCES:
British Heart Foundation: "Pericarditis," "Can I Drink Alcohol If I Have a Congenital Heart Condition?" "What’s the Best Heart Rate Monitor to Buy?"
Mayo Clinic: "Pericarditis."
Cleveland Clinic: "Pericarditis."
Current Cardiology Reports: "The impact of physical activity on pericarditis."
Circulation: Heart Failure: "Symptom diary use and improved survival for patients with heart failure," "Corticosteroids for recurrent pericarditis."
The Journal of Nutrition: “A new dietary inflammatory index predicts interval changes in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein."
Harvard Health Publishing: "Heat Is Hard on the Heart; Simple Precautions Can Ease the Strain," "Is It Time to Stop Skimming Over Full-Fat Dairy?"
Heart (British Cardiac Society): “Relapsing pericarditis.”
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine: "Is exercise restriction necessary in patients with pericarditis?"
National Organization for Rare Disorders: "Recurrent Pericarditis."
The Journal of Nutrition: “A new dietary inflammatory index predicts interval changes in serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.”
American Heart Association: "Eating Foods That Promote Inflammation May Worsen Heart Failure," "Recurrent Pericarditis."
NHS: "Pericarditis."
USDA: "What Are Refined Grains?"
Internal and Emergency Medicine: “Recurrent pericarditis: an update on diagnosis and management.”
