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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffDressler's syndrome is a complication that can occur following a heart attack or heart surgery. It occurs when the sac that surrounds your heart (pericardium) becomes inflamed. An immune system reaction is thought to be responsible for Dressler's syndrome, which usually develops several weeks or months after heart tissue injury.
Dressler's syndrome causes fever and chest pain, which can feel like another heart attack. Also referred to as post-pericardiotomy and post-myocardial infarction syndrome, Dressler's syndrome is treated with medications that reduce inflammation.
With recent improvements in the medical treatment of heart attack, Dressler's syndrome is far less common than it used to be. However, once you've had the condition, it may recur, so it's important to be on the lookout for any symptoms of Dressler's syndrome if you've had a heart attack, heart surgery or other heart injury.
Symptoms
