Which condition is inflammation of the pericardium, the group of membranes surrounding the heart?

• A. Pericarditis
• B. Hypertension
• C. Aneurysm
• D. Myocardial Infarction

Answer: (A)

Pericarditis is the inflammation of the pericardium, the double-layered sac surrounding the heart. The term fits exactly: peri- means around, cardio refers to the heart, and -itis indicates inflammation. This distinguishes it from the other conditions listed—hypertension is high blood pressure; an aneurysm is a bulging area in a blood vessel; a myocardial infarction is a heart attack caused by blocked blood flow to heart muscle. So the condition described is the one denoting inflammation of the heart’s surrounding membranes.