echo test

my heart rate has always been high .but some times i have a pressure feeling in the chest area.i went to the hospital and my heart rate was 154 and they did an echo test on me.it showed there was fluid under my heart..what could the fluid be??and could that be a reason for me fainting and getting dizzy so much??i do smoke and sometime i get heart burn..but on the other hand i am only 20..thanks

[Darcy Green Conaway, MD]

If there is pericardial fluid (fluid in the sack around the heart) it could be concerning if it increased in size quickly. the fluid you are talking about may be in the lung. If you have fluid around your heart you should be evaluated by a cardiologist.It may be that the high heart rate is unrelated but it certainly be evaluated also.