Moderate pericardial effusion/cardiac tamponade

I have just been diagnosed with moderate pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. I am almost 40, I don't drink, or smoke, and I am not overweight. I went to the dr. for pelvic pain and the CAT scan somehow picked up the heart thing even though it was only ordered on the pelvic area.  I am being referred to a cardioligist.  I have been dealing with unexplained pelvic pressure, pain, cramping and other symptoms for months. I gave birth by c-section the end of February of this year just for your information..  First, do you know of anything in the pelvic area that could be causing the heart condition.  My dr. says the logical thing is infection yet I am not sick. Second, what would be a course of treatment for this condition? I know that it depends on the cause but I guess I'm stressing a little.  The only medication I take is one dose of ultram a day for the pelvic pain.  (100 mg.) I have tried to research to make sure this could not be causing the fluid build up and have not found any information from the pharmicist or anywhere else that would lead me to believe that is it.
Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

[Douglas Bogart, MD]

The CAT scan can overestimate the amount of effusion at times and you need an echocardiogram to define the amount of fluid and whether it is impairing your heart function.  There are many causes for an effusion and being low on the thyroid is a common one in young patients.  You just need to be evaluated.