The pain of acute pericarditis may travel into your left shoulder and neck.

CNN: Pericarditis

However, some people with acute pericarditis describe their chest pain as dull, achy or pressure-like instead, and of varying intensity.

CNN: Pericarditis

If you have acute pericarditis, the most common symptom is sharp, stabbing chest pain behind the breastbone or in the left side of your chest.

CNN: Pericarditis

Acute pericarditis usually lasts less than a few weeks.

CNN: Pericarditis