Constrictive Pericarditis: How Does a Thickened Pericardium Impair Heart Function and Cause Systemic Symptoms Like JVD, Ascites, and Pulsus Paradoxus?

The heart, our tireless engine, is enveloped by a protective sac called the pericardium. Normally thin and flexible, the pericardium can sometimes become thick and rigid due to inflammation, a condition known as pericarditis. When this thickening becomes chronic and constricting, it leads to constrictive pericarditis, significantly hindering the heart's ability to function properly. Read more