Signs & Symptoms of Cardiac Temponade

Cardiac tamponade, also known as pericardial tamponade is an uncommon condition that occur when blood or fluid builds up in the space between the myocardium (the muscle of the heart) and the pericardium (the outer covering sac of the heart). Fluid that collects in the pericardial sac can exert enough pressure to prevent the heart from relaxing completely between beats. Severe pericardial fluid pressure can cause a drop in blood pressure, shock, abnormal heart rhythms, and death.

Individuals who experience cardiac tamponade often describe one or more of these symptoms:

• Most people with cardiac tamponade have some shortness of breath.
• People with Cardiac tamponade have low blood pressure.
• Muffled heart sounds occur in cardiac tamponade.
• Sharp chest pain, often related to pericarditis occurs that dissipate by the time and the more severe cardiac tamponade condition develops.
• Person feels Anxiety and discomfort which is sometimes relieved by sitting upright or leaning forward.
• Swelling of the abdomen or other areas can occur.
• Clinical sign, which may not be directly evident to the patient, is that venous blood pressure rises which causes the distended jugular veins in the neck as returning blood can’t flow into the heart.
• Hypotension and a narrowing pulse pressure occur.
• Fatigue or weakness is another symptom of cardiac tamponade.

Tags: Cardiac Temponade, Cardiac Temponade Signs, Cardiac Temponade Symptoms