Pericarditis Care in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Pericarditis is a heart condition that residents of Grand Rapids, MI should take seriously, especially given our active community and access to high‑quality cardiac care at local hospitals such as Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health.

This guide explains what pericarditis is, common symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options—plus how and where to seek help in the Grand Rapids area.

What Is the Pericardium?

The pericardium is a thin, double-layered sac that surrounds your heart. A small amount of fluid between these layers allows them to glide smoothly over one another as your heart beats.

The pericardium helps:

  • Keep the heart in place in the chest
  • Protect the heart from infection and injury
  • Prevent the heart from over-expanding when blood volume increases

What Is Pericarditis?

Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium. When this sac becomes inflamed, the two layers swell and rub against each other with each heartbeat, which can cause pain and other symptoms.

In many cases, pericarditis is mild and can be managed with rest and medication. However, it can sometimes lead to serious complications, so timely medical evaluation in Grand Rapids is essential.

Symptoms of Pericarditis

The symptoms of pericarditis can be similar to a heart attack, so it’s important not to ignore them. In a city like Grand Rapids, where cold winters can increase strain on the heart (especially when shoveling snow or walking on icy streets), any new chest pain should be checked urgently.

Common symptoms include:

  • Sharp, stabbing chest pain
    • Often in the center or left side of the chest
    • May spread to the left shoulder, neck, or arm
    • Often worse when lying down, taking a deep breath, or coughing
    • May feel better when sitting up and leaning forward
  • Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
  • Palpitations or a racing heart
  • Fever, sweating, and chills
  • Dizziness or feeling faint
  • Dry cough
  • General fatigue or weakness

Always seek emergency care (call 911) if you have chest pain, especially if you are unsure whether it is pericarditis or a heart attack.

Acute vs. Chronic Pericarditis

Acute Pericarditis

  • Develops suddenly
  • Symptoms typically last one to three weeks
  • May recur in some people

Chronic Pericarditis

  • Lasts three months or longer
  • May involve ongoing inflammation or a persistent buildup of fluid around the heart (chronic effusive pericarditis)
  • Can lead to scarring and stiffness of the pericardium (constrictive pericarditis)

Common Causes of Pericarditis

In many cases, especially in otherwise healthy adults in Grand Rapids, the exact cause of pericarditis is not found. However, known causes include:

Viral Infections

A viral infection is the most common cause of pericarditis. This might start as:

  • A chest infection
  • A respiratory virus (common colds, flu, or other seasonal viruses common in Michigan’s fall and winter months)

Bacterial Infections

Bacterial pericarditis is less common but more serious and potentially life-threatening. It often results from:

  • Pneumonia (lung infection)
  • Other bacterial infections elsewhere in the body that spread through the bloodstream to the pericardium

Prompt treatment of infections—such as pneumonia—at local facilities like Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health can help prevent bacterial pericarditis.

  • Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
    Damage to the heart muscle from a heart attack can cause post-heart attack (post‑MI) pericarditis. Symptoms may appear weeks to months after the heart attack.
  • Heart surgery
    Certain surgeries that open the pericardium, such as:
    • Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery
    • Heart valve surgery
      can lead to pericarditis afterward. Thickening or scarring of the pericardium may develop following surgery.

Other Medical Conditions

  • Kidney failure
  • Autoimmune diseases, such as:
    • Rheumatoid arthritis
    • Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
  • Cancer (including cancers that spread to the heart or pericardium)
  • Radiation therapy to the chest
  • Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
  • Tuberculosis (TB) – still a recognized cause worldwide and occasionally seen in Michigan

Constrictive Pericarditis

With constrictive pericarditis, long-term inflammation causes the pericardium to become thickened and scarred. This makes the sac stiff and less flexible, so the heart cannot fill and pump blood properly.

Symptoms of Constrictive Pericarditis

  • Fatigue or low energy
  • Shortness of breath, especially with activity or when lying flat
  • Dizziness or feeling faint
  • Swelling of the abdomen or lower legs (fluid buildup)
  • Heart palpitations
  • Signs of heart failure or liver congestion/damage in advanced cases

Without treatment, constrictive pericarditis can lead to serious complications, including heart failure. Advanced cardiac centers in Grand Rapids, such as Spectrum Health and Mercy Health, can assess and manage this condition.

Chronic Effusive Pericarditis

Chronic effusive pericarditis involves a gradual and persistent buildup of fluid between the two layers of the pericardium. Causes may include:

  • Tuberculosis
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Cancer
  • Autoimmune diseases
  • Often, no clear cause is found

Over time, this fluid can interfere with normal heart function and may lead to cardiac tamponade, a medical emergency.

How Pericarditis Is Diagnosed in Grand Rapids

If you visit a Grand Rapids clinic, urgent care, or emergency department with suspected pericarditis, your healthcare provider will:

Medical History and Physical Exam

  • Ask about your symptoms, recent infections, medical history, and any recent heart surgery or heart attack
  • Listen to your heart with a stethoscope placed on your chest and back

A characteristic sound called a pericardial rub may be heard. This sound occurs when the two inflamed layers of the pericardium rub against each other.

Common Tests

Your doctor may order:

  • Blood tests – to look for signs of inflammation, infection, or heart damage
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) – records the electrical activity of the heart
  • Chest X‑ray – to check the size and shape of the heart and look for fluid
  • Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) – uses sound waves to visualize the heart and detect fluid around it
  • Heart CT scan – to assess the pericardium’s thickness and any calcification
  • Cardiac MRI – to evaluate pericardial inflammation and heart structure in detail
  • In some cases, pericardial fluid sampling (using a fine needle) – fluid is removed and examined in a laboratory to identify infection or cancer cells

These tests are available at major Grand Rapids hospitals and imaging centers.

Treatment for Pericarditis

Treatment depends on the cause, severity, and whether there are complications. In Grand Rapids, pericarditis is typically managed by primary care physicians, cardiologists, and in some cases, cardiothoracic surgeons.

Lifestyle and Activity

  • Limiting physical activity may be recommended, especially for acute pericarditis, to reduce strain on the heart while it heals.

Medications

Your doctor may prescribe:

  • Pain relievers – to ease chest pain
  • Non‑steroidal anti‑inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – to reduce inflammation and pain
  • Colchicine – often used to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of pericarditis returning
  • Corticosteroids – may be used if other treatments are not effective or if there is an autoimmune cause (used carefully due to potential side effects)
  • Antibiotics – if a bacterial infection is the cause (for example, bacterial pneumonia leading to pericarditis)

Prompt treatment of underlying conditions—like kidney disease, autoimmune disorders, or infections—through local specialists in Grand Rapids is important for full recovery.

Procedures and Surgery

If pericarditis leads to significant fluid buildup or constriction of the heart, procedures may be needed.

Pericardiocentesis

Pericardiocentesis is a procedure to drain excess fluid from around the heart. During this procedure:

  • A sterile needle or small tube (catheter) is carefully inserted into the pericardial space
  • Fluid is drained to relieve pressure on the heart
  • The fluid may be sent to a lab to look for infection, cancer, or other causes

This procedure is typically done in a hospital setting, such as at Spectrum Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

Pericardiectomy (Removal of the Pericardium)

In rare cases, when the pericardium becomes permanently stiff and causes severe constrictive pericarditis, surgical removal of part or all of the pericardium (pericardiectomy) may be necessary.

  • This is a major surgery performed by cardiothoracic surgeons
  • Usually reserved for severe, long‑standing cases that do not improve with other treatments

Possible Complications of Pericarditis

Without proper treatment, pericarditis can lead to serious complications:

Cardiac Tamponade

  • Occurs when too much fluid builds up between the two layers of the pericardium
  • The heart becomes compressed and cannot pump blood effectively
  • Symptoms may include:
    • Severe shortness of breath
    • Low blood pressure
    • Rapid heart rate
    • Lightheadedness or fainting
  • This is a medical emergency and can be fatal if not treated promptly

Abscess and Spread of Infection

  • An abscess (pocket of pus) can form within the heart or pericardium
  • The infection can spread to the bloodstream, leading to sepsis
  • Requires urgent medical treatment with antibiotics and sometimes surgery

Heart Failure and Organ Damage

  • Chronic constrictive pericarditis can lead to heart failure
  • Long-term fluid buildup and congestion can cause liver damage and other organ problems

Living in Grand Rapids with Pericarditis: Local Considerations

Residents of Grand Rapids and West Michigan should be aware of a few local factors:

  • Cold winters and snow shoveling can increase heart strain. If you have a history of heart disease or pericarditis, talk to your doctor before doing heavy outdoor work.
  • Seasonal viral infections (fall and winter) are common in Michigan and can trigger viral pericarditis. Staying up to date on flu and COVID-19 vaccines through your doctor or the Kent County Health Department can help reduce risk.
  • Access to high‑quality cardiac care is available locally at:
    • Spectrum Health (Corewell Health) in downtown Grand Rapids
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Mercy Health facilities

When to Seek Help in Grand Rapids

Seek immediate emergency care (call 911) if you experience:

  • Sudden, severe chest pain
  • Chest pain with shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea
  • Fainting or near‑fainting
  • Signs of cardiac tamponade (severe shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, feeling like you might pass out)

For non‑emergency concerns—such as mild chest discomfort, ongoing fatigue, or a history of pericarditis—contact:

  • Your primary care provider in Grand Rapids
  • A cardiologist at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health
  • Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health resources for help finding local clinics or low‑cost care

(Note: The “NURSE-ON-CALL (616) 555-0024” number in the original text appears to be a placeholder. Please call your own doctor’s office, health plan nurse line, or the main number of a local Grand Rapids hospital for 24/7 nurse advice.)

Key Points About Pericarditis

  • The pericardium is a protective sac around the heart; pericarditis is inflammation of this sac.
  • Symptoms often include sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, and sometimes fever and palpitations.
  • The cause is not always clear; common causes include viral infections, bacterial infections, heart attack, heart surgery, autoimmune diseases, kidney failure, cancer, and radiation therapy.
  • Acute pericarditis symptoms usually last 1–3 weeks; chronic pericarditis lasts 3 months or longer.
  • Serious complications—such as cardiac tamponade and constrictive pericarditis—require urgent specialist care.
  • Grand Rapids residents have access to excellent cardiac care, imaging, and surgical options at local hospitals.
  • Always seek medical help quickly if you experience chest pain or other concerning heart symptoms.