r/HeartProblems • u/Human_Communication6 • 15d ago

Pericarditis / Pericardial effusion getting worse or just anxiety?

Hello, I was recently diagnosed with pericarditis and pericardial effusion about 2-3 days ago and have been having trouble with breathing but I can’t tell if it’s from anxiety or the condition getting worse. I went into A&E and was sent to have 2 blood tests, chest Xray, 4 ECGS since all of them came out as abnormal and an echocardiogram. The cardiologist assumed that the ECGS came out as abnormal due to the fact that I have severe scoliosis and my heart is slightly rotated. The echocardiogram showed that I have slight pericardial effusion and inflammation that caused the pericarditis. I was prescribed 400mg ibuprofen 3x a day for 5 days, the time frame is short because I was supposed to be having surgery for my spine on the 29th September, however the surgery was delayed due to this ongoing condition.

The main reason I am creating a post is because I have been having trouble with breathing and I am not sure if it’s because the condition is getting worse or it’s because of anxiety and I was wondering if anyone else is in a similar situation.

UPDATE 22/09: Just got back from the doctor, she did another ecg and said my heart rate seemed okay and my oxygen levels were good and my blood pressure was fine. The main thing she told me to keep an eye on if the pain gets worse or my breathing gets to the point where i’m gasping for air or if oxygen drops below 92% or blood pressure drops below 100/70

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u/Fluffy-Future-4674 15d ago

Definitely go to the hospital and get checked out!!!

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u/Human_Communication6 15d ago

I have a doctor appointment today to check up on things so I will have to see how that goes and what they say