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Message: <blockquote data-quote="handtohand" data-source="post: 20287486" data-attributes="member: 557957"><a href="http://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health-specialist/fluid-around-the-heart.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.everydayhealth.com/heart-health-specialist/fluid-around-the-heart.aspx</a>Is Fluid Around the Heart Dangerous?Ask Dr. Arthur AgatstonMy neighbor was recently diagnosed with fluid around the heart. What does this mean? Is it dangerous?— Madeline, FloridaThere are many reasons why fluid can build up around the heart, a condition that is medically known as pericardial effusion. It is often associated with pericarditis, which is an inflammation of the pericardium, a double-layered membrane sac that surrounds the heart and protects it. One layer of the pericardial tissue is fibrous, connecting the heart to surrounding tissues; the other layer is serous, meaning it normally contains a small amount of pale yellow fluid that prevents friction as the heart pumps.Are you doing everything you can to manage your heart condition? Find out with our interactive checkup.Problems can arise when, for some reason, too much fluid starts to accumulate in this covering, also known as the pericardial lining. When that happens, the fluid can put pressure on the heart, affecting blood circulation and the body’s oxygen supply.Just to be clear, pericardial effusion and/or pericarditis are not the same as congestive heart failure, which people sometimes mistakenly describe as “fluid around the heart.” In congestive heart failure, fluid builds up in the lungs, causing the lungs to be heavy and making it difficult to breathe; in pericardial effusion or pericarditis, fluid builds up in the lining around the heart.To answer the second part of your question, about whether fluid around the heart is dangerous, it depends on the underlying medical issue. The causes of percarditis are many and varied, ranging from an infection or a drug interaction to an autoimmune condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. The fluid buildup may occur after an injury or due to a malignancy or chemotherapy. And sometimes, fluid around the heart occurs for no reason that we can determine, which is known as idiopathic pericarditis.In fact, the most common cause of pericarditis is an idiopathic (or presumed) viral infection, which usually will go away on its own over time or with anti-inflammatory medications. Fluid buildup is also fairly common after heart surgery, related to a condition known as post-cardiotomy syndrome.Treatment for pericardial effusion and/or pericarditis will depend on the cause of the problem. Often the condition will resolve itself, sometimes the fluid can be drained with a needle, and medications may be an option as well.Last Updated: 6/28/2010</blockquote>

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