Pericarditis is inflammation or infection of the outside lining of the heart, called the pericardium. Myocarditis is inflammation or infection of the muscle of the heart. Because the pericardium covers the heart muscle, myocarditis may also occur if there is pericarditis. The inflammation may occur due to an infection (viral, bacterial, or fungal) of the heart or due to any other inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis, dermatomyositis, Kawasaki disease, rheumatic fever, or other noninfectious diseases.

The commonest symptom of pericarditis is chest pain with or without pericardial effusion (accumulation of fluid around the heart). The pain is usually sharp, in the front of the chest. It may spread to the back, the shoulders, or the arms and may be aggravated by coughing or swallowing. Pain is less common with myocarditis, which is more likely to affect the function of the heart, causing heart failure. This may produce breathlessness or swelling of the feet and ankles. There may be a fever with both conditions.

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