Pericardial Cysts & Chest Pain

[IrishBlueEyes22]

I have had 2 different CT scans (with iodine) about a year apart from each other.  The first one said I had a pericardial cyst on the right atrium of my heart.  The second one said the same thing, but the dimensions were different, meaning it changed shape/size.  They found it accidentally when I went into the hospital for chest pain at the lower part of my left breast closer to my xiphoid process.  After going through cardiologists and them telling me that the cyst wouldn't cause me that pain, I gave up for a while.  Then the second CT scared me enough that I am now seeking even more medical attention.  Everything I have read says that almost all pericardial cysts are asymptomatic and that they are mostly just filled with a fluid close to the density of water.  I am currently going to school to be an M.A. and have noticed that my pulse started out at around 84 which is normal, but within the last month to month and a half, it has increased to about 96-98 bpm consistantly.  My blood pressure has always ran a little low, it was just at 102/70 on Wednesday, which is a little high for me, but I was about to have an endoscopy and colonoscopy so I was probably a bit nervous.  Would the pericardial cyst cause my heart rate to increase that high, and would it cause me pain?  Is this something that I need to be really paying attention to, or is it just a coincidence?  Thank you.

[Bonebags]

I went to the hospital for chest pain and found out incidentally that I have a pericardial cyst on the right side. the size is 7x7x3.3x3.7cm.  I don't know if this is a large cyst or not.  It is not painful but I am very scared.  Do you think I should go see a cardiologist and have this removed right a way.  I been doing reading and I am afraid that something serious can happen.  I have a constant cough and sometimes when I cough I get real weak and dizzy like I am about to past out.  When the hospital discharged me they say just keep a watch on it.  I don't think that was good advice.  Please Advice.
Bonebags

[IrishBlueEyes22]

Thank you for your help.  I am still having chest pain.  I had an endoscopy and a colonoscopy, and the dr. reported that I have "irritable bowel syndrome" even though I have no bowel problems.  I do not believe this is the cause of my chest pain.  I am probably going to go into the hospital here in a few minutes because the pain is getting worse.  I'm not sure if it's that cyst or if it's my gall bladder or what...all I know is that it hurts and brings me to tears.  Thank you.

[kenkeith]

It is not necessarily true that a pericardial cyst is asymptomatic.  The size and position and growing can be a problematic although most cysts are benign.  If present, symptoms are usually due to compression of adjacent organs and include atypical chest pain, difficult breathing, and persistent cough.  "Cardiac tamponade" (chronic compression of the heart by pericardial effusion and pericardial thickening), obstruction of right main stem bronchus, and sudden death are the life threatening emergencies that have been reported (worst case scenario).

Other reported complications include right ventricular outflow obstruction, inflammation and infection, pulmonary stenosis, partial erosion into adjacent structures, atrial fibrillation, and congestive heart failure. There could be an increase in heart rate to compensate. A few pericardial cysts resolve spontaneously, likely from rupture into the pleural space.  The rates of spontaneous resolution or complications have not been reported.  

Since operative risks of minimally invasive techniques are extremely low, it would seem reasonable to offer resection for all pericardial cysts in otherwise healthy patients for whom the risk of surgery is low.  If the cyst appears to be growing and for other reasons, you and your doctor may decide to have cyst removed.

[Momto3]

*bump*

Can anyone offer any insight?