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Signs & Symptoms of Fluid Around the Heart

The heart is surrounded by a thin sac called the pericardium. This sac-like structure has two layers separated by a small amount of lubricating fluid. Pericardial effusion is a medical condition in which fluid between the two layers increases to an abnormal amount. According to the the Journal of the American Medical Association, pericardial effusion is caused by a variety of conditions including infection, cancer, radiation therapy, kidney failure and autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. If the fluid between the layers increases slowly, you may not experience any symptoms, but symptoms can become life-threatening if the fluid builds up rapidly.

  1. Respiratory Symptoms

    • Pericardial effusion can cause shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. The Mayo Clinic reports that the breathing problems can worsen when you are inhaling or lying down. The breathing difficulty occurs because the large amount of fluid between the pericardial layers puts pressure on the surrounding organs including the lungs and diaphragm.

    Cardiac Symptoms

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, chest pain usually occurs behind the breastbone or on the left side of the chest. The pain occurs when the fluid between the pericardial layers reaches a certain level and the pressure compresses the heart. Coughing or swallowing can intensify the pain. Sitting up or leaning forward may relieve your chest pain.

      The heart rate increases in an attempt to bring oxygen-rich blood to the tissues. Panic and anxiety caused by chest pain or breathing problems can also raise the heart rate. The jugular veins, which are located on both sides of your neck, can enlarge and appear distended as a result of the pressure around the heart. According to the Merck Manual Home Edition, pulsus paradoxus can occur, which is a significant decrease in pulse and blood pressure when a person inhales, and an increase in pulse and blood pressure when you exhale.

    Miscellaneous Symptoms

    • Since the tissues are starved for oxygen-rich blood, you can experience dizziness, fatigue and weakness, according to the Mayo Clinic.

    Loss of Consciousness or Death

    • According to the Merck Manual Home Edition, the pressure around the heart can increase to a point that it interferes with the heart's ability to pump blood, causing you to suddenly lose consciousness or die.

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