It is advised that vigorous exercise should not be performed until after the chest pain resolves and inflammatory markers have normalized.[1]Adler Y, Charron P, Imazio M, et al. 2015 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases. Eur Heart J. 2015 Nov 7;36(42):2921-64.
http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/36/42/2921.long
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26320112?tool=bestpractice.com
[14]Little WC, Freeman GL. Pericardial disease. Circulation. 2006 Mar 28;113(12):1622-32.
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/113/12/1622
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16567581?tool=bestpractice.com
[37]Imazio M, Spodick DH, Brucato A, et al. Controversial issues in the management of pericardial diseases. Circulation. 2010 Feb 23;121(7):916-28.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20177006?tool=bestpractice.com
A minimum of 3 months exercise restriction is often considered appropriate (and recommended for patients involved in competitive sports), but shorter periods may be considered depending on patient and disease characteristics (e.g., nonathletes and/or mild clinical picture).[1]Adler Y, Charron P, Imazio M, et al. 2015 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases. Eur Heart J. 2015 Nov 7;36(42):2921-64.
http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/36/42/2921.long
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26320112?tool=bestpractice.com
[14]Little WC, Freeman GL. Pericardial disease. Circulation. 2006 Mar 28;113(12):1622-32.
http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/content/full/113/12/1622
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16567581?tool=bestpractice.com
[37]Imazio M, Spodick DH, Brucato A, et al. Controversial issues in the management of pericardial diseases. Circulation. 2010 Feb 23;121(7):916-28.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20177006?tool=bestpractice.com
[56]Pelliccia A, Solberg EE, Papadakis M, et al. Recommendations for participation in competitive and leisure time sport in athletes with cardiomyopathies, myocarditis, and pericarditis: position statement of the Sport Cardiology Section of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC). Eur Heart J. 2019 Jan 1;40(1):19-33.
https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/40/1/19/5248228
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30561613?tool=bestpractice.com
Constrictive pericarditis excludes patients from all competitive sports.