Months after a heart attack, some patients may develop pain in the chest that is due to inflammation of the pericardium. The pericardium is the thin membrane that surrounds the heart. This is called Dressler's syndrome, or post-myocardial infarction syndrome.

The pain of Dressler's syndrome is usually sharp and becomes worse during a deep breath. The illness is not serious and usually resolves over time. Dressler's syndrome usually responds to anti-inflammatory medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.