Joao, a medical student living with recurrent pericarditis
How to treat pericarditis
Treatment depends on whether your pericarditis is a first-time episode or recurrent pericarditis.
Treatment options for pericarditis and/or recurrent pericarditis include:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Often the first treatment given for first episode and recurrent pericarditis
- NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen) reduce inflammation and ease pain
- In the treatment of recurrent pericarditis, they do not specifically block the underlying cause of inflammation (IL-1)
- May cause stomach upset, bloating, unusual bleeding, or bruising
IL-1 pathway inhibitors
- Used for recurrent pericarditis
- Disrupt the cycle of autoinflammation that drives recurrent pericarditis
- May prevent flares from coming back
- May increase the risk of infections and injection site reactions
Colchicine
- Used for first-time episodes and recurrent pericarditis
- Relieves inflammation
- In the treatment of recurrent pericarditis, does not specifically block the underlying cause of inflammation (IL-1)
- May cause diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain
Corticosteroids
- May be used for first-time episodes and recurrent pericarditis if other treatments do not work
- Reduces inflammation
- When used in treatment of recurrent pericarditis, does not specifically block the underlying cause of inflammation (IL-1)
- May cause dizziness, headache, weight gain, and mood change
- Side effects may limit long-term use
Please note that side effects may occur with any type of medication (prescription or over-the-counter) and are not all-inclusive. See individual product labels for additional information.
Discuss possible side effects with your healthcare provider.
Lifestyle modifications
There are actions you can take that may help relieve your symptoms or possibly reduce the risk of pericarditis.
Quick tips
Along with your healthcare provider’s instructions, these tips may also help you manage your symptoms of pericarditis:
Be sure to allow yourself to recover from an existing pericarditis flare.
Get plenty of rest.
Don’t return to physical activity until your healthcare provider tells you it’s OK, as exercise may further damage the delicate tissues of the pericardium or the heart itself.
Follow the treatment plan you made with your healthcare provider, keep your appointments, and take your medicine as directed.
Manage your stress and pain
Discuss management options with your healthcare provider to determine what works best for you. Ask about:
Breathing exercises (shown to lower heart rate and blood pressure).
Meditation (also shown to lower heart rate and blood pressure).
Finding ways to lessen pain when lying down, such as elevating your head and chest using a wedge under your mattress or using an adjustable bed.
Avoid triggers
People who suffer from recurrent pericarditis may experience different triggers. Some individuals have reported that the following precautions may help avoid triggering flares. This is not a comprehensive list.
You may wish to talk to your healthcare provider about limiting:
Alcohol
Excess heat
Stress
Periods of elevated heart rate
TRYING TO REGULATE STRENUOUS EXERCISE
Exercise may trigger a flare, and physicians have advised individuals experiencing a flare to keep their heart rate under 100 beats per minute with moderate activity. Some individuals with pericarditis have reported using a fitness tracker to monitor and record their heart rate.
Your doctor can provide personalized advice and ensure that any exercise regimen is safe and suitable for your individual needs.
YOU MAY WANT TO TRACK YOUR TRIGGERS
If you have repeated pericarditis flares, consider what may have triggered them. By identifying and tracking your triggers, you may be able to avoid future flares.
Managing recurrent pericarditis starts with a team approach
If it seems like you may have recurrent pericarditis, you may need to see a number of different healthcare specialists. However, most of your care will likely be given by a cardiologist.
A cardiologist: a doctor who specializes in the study or treatment of the heart, heart diseases, and heart abnormalities.
Who else may treat pericarditis?
A rheumatologist: a doctor who treats autoimmune conditions, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, and could have a special understanding of autoinflammation.
An immunologist: an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the immune system.
A radiologist: an expert in interpreting different imaging tests to diagnose and treat diseases.
A clinical social worker or other therapist: specialists who can help you cope with stress.
This is a not a complete list. Who you see will depend on your medical history and the healthcare providers available in your area.
Now that you know more about treatment types and the team that helps manage recurrent pericarditis, learn more about how pericarditis is diagnosed.
Quote from Dr. Jonathan Salik
"There are centers of expertise across the country that specialize in pericardial disease, including recurrent pericarditis, and it's important to research those options to see if you might be able to be seen at a center that has more knowledge and expertise about this condition."
Did you know?
Treatments that only relieve the symptoms of a pericarditis flare may not treat the cause of recurrent pericarditis—and may not stop flares from coming back.
Last updated: 04/30/25
The content on this page has been written and approved by Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals.