Chest pain is the most common symptom of pericarditis. It usually feels sharp or stabbing. However, some people have dull, achy or pressure-like chest pain. Pericarditis pain usually occurs behind the breastbone or on the left side of the chest. The pain may:  Spread to the left shoulder and neck Get worse when coughing, lying down or taking a deep breath Get better when sitting up or leaning forward  Other signs and symptoms of pericarditis may include:  Cough Fatigue or general feeling of weakness or being sick Leg swelling Low-grade fever Pounding or racing heartbeat (heart palpitations) Shortness of breath when lying down Swelling of the belly (abdomen)  The specific symptoms depend on the type of pericarditis. Pericarditis is grouped into different categories, according to the pattern of symptoms and how long symptoms last.  Acute pericarditis begins suddenly but doesn't last longer than three weeks. Future episodes can occur. It may be difficult to tell the difference between acute pericarditis and pain due to a heart attack. Recurrent pericarditis occurs about four to six weeks after an episode of acute pericarditis with no symptoms in between. Incessant pericarditis lasts about four to six weeks but less than three months. The symptoms are continuous. Chronic constrictive pericarditis usually develops slowly and lasts longer than three months. 
chest pain common symptom pericarditis  feels sharp stabbing  however  people dull  achy pressure-like chest pain  pericarditis pain occurs breastbone left side chest  pain may:  spread left shoulder neck worse coughing  lying down taking deep breath sitting leaning forward  signs symptoms pericarditis may include:  cough fatigue general feeling weakness being sick leg swelling low-grade fever pounding racing heartbeat (heart palpitations) shortness breath lying down swelling belly (abdomen)  specific symptoms depend type pericarditis  pericarditis grouped categories  according pattern symptoms long symptoms last   acute pericarditis begins suddenly doesn't last longer weeks  future episodes can occur  may difficult tell difference acute pericarditis pain due heart attack  recurrent pericarditis occurs weeks episode acute pericarditis symptoms between  incessant pericarditis lasts weeks months  symptoms continuous  chronic constrictive pericarditis develops slowly lasts longer months
pericarditis