Cardiac Tamponade Symptoms & Diagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms vary from mild to severe. They typically include one or more of the following:

• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Shortness of breath, rapid breathing, or difficulty breathing
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Chest pain
  • That extends to the neck, shoulders, or abdomen
  • Sharp or stabbing pain
  • Pain that is worsened by coughing or deep breathing
• Discomfort that can be relieved by sitting upright or leaning forward
• Swelling of the abdomen, veins in the arms or legs, or other areas
• Pale skin, or skin that is blue- or gray-tinted
• Rapid heartbeat
• Anxiety or restlessness
• Low blood pressure
• Fainting
• Feeling of weakness
• General malaise

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. You will also be examined. If you have a significant change in blood pressure between breaths, this is one way your doctor will diagnose this condition.

The following tests are also used for diagnosis:

• Echocardiogram —a test that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to examine the size, shape, and motion of the heart. This is the primary test used to diagnose and manage cardiac tamponade.
• Cardiac catheterization —a tube-like instrument inserted into the heart through a vein or artery (usually in the arm or leg) to detect problems with the heart and its blood supply
• Chest x-ray —a test that uses radiation to take a picture of structures inside the body, especially bones
• CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the chest
• MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the chest
• Coronary angiography —x-rays taken after a dye is injected into the arteries; allows the doctor to look for abnormalities in the arteries
• Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) —a test that records the heart’s activity by measuring electrical currents through the heart muscle