It is clinically similar to a pericardial effusion, and, depending on the volume and rapidity with which it develops, may cause cardiac tamponade.

[1] The condition can be caused by full-thickness necrosis (death) of the myocardium (heart muscle) after myocardial infarction, chest trauma,[2] and by over-prescription of anticoagulants.

[6] In many cases, patients also report feeling chest pressure and have an abnormally elevated heart rate.

[7] Hemopericardium has been reported to result from various afflictions including chest trauma, free wall rupture after a myocardial infarction, bleeding into the pericardial sac following a type A aortic dissection, and as a complication of invasive cardiac procedures.

[6] Other observable signs include rapid heart rate, jugular venous distension, low blood pressure, and pulsus paradoxus.

[6] When discovered, hemopericardium is usually treated by pericardiocentesis, a procedure wherein a needle is used to remove the fluid from the pericardial sac.