noun, Physiology. 1. an instrument, often attached to an inflatable air-bladder cuff and used with a stethoscope, for measuring blood pressure in an artery. He who worships his sphygmomanometer as a thing apart and infallible will sooner or later come to grief.
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the tissue layers surrounding the heart. The chest pain of pericarditis is usually sharp and stabbing. It can radiate to the back, neck, or arm. The pain may worsen when taking a deep breath or lying flat and lessen when leaning forward.
Sometimes it can be hard to know how serious your shortness of breath is, and that's when it's important to go with your intuition. In fact, sometimes the most severe shortness of breath can be something benign - like hyperventilation or a panic attack - but the mildest symptoms could be very serious.