Which condition is suggested by a patient leaning forward to alleviate pain?

Leaning forward to alleviate pain is a characteristic posture often associated with pericarditis. This condition involves inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac surrounding the heart. Patients with pericarditis typically experience sharp, pleuritic chest pain that can improve when sitting upright and leaning forward. This posture reduces pressure on the inflamed pericardium, providing relief from the discomfort.

In contrast, while pneumonia, aortic stenosis, and heart attacks can also cause chest pain, the specific leaning posture is more closely tied to pericarditis. For respiratory conditions like pneumonia, patients may experience pain when taking deep breaths but are less likely to adopt a forward-leaning position for relief. Aortic stenosis can lead to exertional dyspnea and syncope but does not typically present with pain that is alleviated by leaning forward. Heart attacks can cause severe chest pain that may radiate but usually do not lead patients to lean forward for relief; instead, they often present in a state of discomfort or distress.