5. Pericarditis
Pericarditis is another inflammatory condition affecting the watery sac around the heart. Medical science is not as yet clear on the exact cause of the disease. However, research suggests that pericarditis typically occurs due to bacterial or viral infection.
The condition produces sensations of pain, described as a sharp or dull ache that begins in the center or to the left of the heart and creeps into the shoulder area.
Recent heart surgery is another possible cause of pericarditis. After an operation, such as a bypass, the patient may not receive the correct post-procedure care and develop an infection in the repaired tissue. In this case, surgeons will have to treat the condition with drugs, and in some cases operate on the patient again to remove damaged tissue.
The infection is rare, affecting less than 0.1-percent of all hospital admissions. However, if you have undergone recent surgery, and notice symptoms of chest pain, its best to visit the emergency room for treatment.