Water in the heart, or pericardial effusion, is a potentially life-threatening condition in which the heart’s ability to provide the body with sufficient blood is compromised. The heart is wrapped in a double-walled sac that is called the pericardium. In a healthy heart, the pericardium holds a bit of water. In patients with water in the heart, the amount of liquid is excessive.

The danger to the heart occurs when the excess fluid causes the pericardium to balloon inward. This can place a dangerous pressure on the heart, affecting its ability to pump oxygenated blood out into the body. In some cases, areas of the heart may even collapse.

A range of causes can contribute to the development of water in the heart. An infection in the heart or other organ, the presence of an inflammatory disease, or kidney failure can result in the overaccumulation of pericardial fluids. Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, as well as metastasized cancerous masses can cause fluids to accumulate. Even an accident that resulted in trauma to the heart or a nearby area can lead to pericardial effusion.

A number of symptoms can indicate water in the heart. A dry cough, dizziness, or trouble breathing might be present. In some patients, well-known heart attack symptoms such as nausea or crushing chest pain are indicators. The severity of symptoms depends upon factors such as how long water in the heart has been present, how much excess fluid is held in the pericardium, and the pain threshold of the particular patient.

In some patients, the gathering of excess water in the pericardium happens over a long period of time. These patients may exhibit no symptoms at all and may not even be aware of the existence of the problem. Typically, these patients have histories of cancer, lupus, Crohn’s disease, or another inflammatory disorder that has resulted in the asymptomatic condition.

Water in the heart can be diagnosed in a number of ways. Tracking the heart’s electrical impulses using an electrocardiogram, or EKG, can uncover the disorder. Images obtained by means of either magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) scans are also useful. If a doctor suspects water in the heart, he or she is likely to order a chest X-ray in order to determine if the heart has enlarged due to an excessive amount of fluid and the subsequent stress caused.