I30-I52: Other forms of heart disease

I31: Other diseases of pericardium

Other diseases of the pericardium are conditions that affect the pericardium, the double-layered sac that surrounds your heart. In addition to holding the heart in place, the pericardium has a small amount of fluid between its two layers that helps reduce friction as your heart moves when pumping blood. Diseases of the pericardium can interfere with these processes and they may result from several causes such as infections, injuries, certain medications, or systemic inflammatory disorders. Common signs include chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and fatigue. Some people may not have any signs at all. As the disease progresses, it can lead to complications such as constrictive pericarditis, where the pericardium becomes thickened and rigid, or cardiac tamponade, a buildup of fluid in the pericardium which interferes with the heart's ability to pump blood. These conditions frequently affect the cardiovascular system.