Pericarditis Causes & Risks

Causes

The cause of pericarditis is often unknown. However, possible causes include:

Viral, bacterial, or fungal infection
Heart attack
Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus
Cancer that has spread from a tumor near the heart
Kidney failure
Injury or surgery affecting the chest, esophagus (food pipe), or heart
Radiation treatment
Certain medications used to suppress the immune system

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Risk factors for pericarditis include:

Weakened immune system that is not able to fight off infections and other diseases
Any of the causes listed above

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2026 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.