Contemporary Examples. 1  Biden is such a straight shooter that pundits say he needs a muzzle. 2  Suddenly, the darkness came alive with muzzle flashes and tracer rounds. 3  The result of the back-and-forth was guaranteed national publicity for the very ideas the politicians wanted to muzzle.
Early symptoms of fluid around the heart include feeling out of breath, even when lying down. Breathing often becomes easier when you sit up or lean forward. Other signs include feeling lightheaded or dizzy, chest pain that is sharp and stabbing, chest tightness and a dry, chronic cough.
But if the pericardium is diseased or injured, the resulting inflammation can lead to excess fluid. Fluid can also build up around the heart without inflammation, such as from bleeding after a chest trauma. Pericardial effusion puts pressure on the heart, affecting the heart's function. If untreated, it can lead to heart failure or death.