The first stage in the diagnosis of pericarditis is to ask about your symptoms and recent medical history, such as whether you have recently had a chest infection or been in an accident.
The next stage is to listen to your heart with a stethoscope. Pericarditis changes the sound of your heartbeat to a distinctive rasping sound, which is clearly detected by the stethoscope.
You may have blood tests to check for infections, and to check how organs such as your liver and kidneys are functioning.
A diagnosis is usually confirmed by electrocardiogram (ECG). During an ECG, electrodes are placed on your skin to measure the electrical activity of your heart.
People with pericarditis experience a distinctive change in the usual electrical activity of the heart, which can be detected with an ECG.
Further testing
Further testing is only usually required if the test described above proves negative or you have additional symptoms not normally associated with pericarditis, such as swelling of the arms and legs or extreme tiredness.
These tests may include:
- a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan – an MRI scan uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a detailed image of the inside of your brain
- a computer tomography (CT) scan – the scanner takes a series of X-rays and a computer is used to assemble them into a detailed image of the brain
- an echocardiogram – this test uses sound waves to build up a detailed picture of your heart and pericardium
