Pericarditis

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Diagnosis

The diagnosis of pericarditis is usually first suggested by development of chest pain that worsens with taking a deep breath or lying down and that improves with sitting up and leaning forward.

The initial evaluation consists of a medical history, physical examination, and an electrocardiogram (ECG). The medical history focuses on chest pain: Does the pain get worse when you take a deep breath? Is it worse when you lie down? Does it get better after you sit up and lean forward? T...Read the full article