A small amount of pericardial effusion or a slowly progressing large amount of pericardial effusion may be asymptomatic and some clinical symptoms, such as dyspnoea, may gradually develop as the disease progresses and are the most prominent symptoms.
Severely ill patients may develop anteriorly inclined telangiectatic breathing with shallow and rapid breathing, as well as chest tightness, dry cough, hoarseness, palpitations, decreased blood pressure, pallor, jugular venous anger and lower limb oedema.