Final answer:
Cardiac tamponade is the condition where fluid compresses the heart and limits its ability to contract. Excess fluid buildup in the pericardial space puts pressure on the heart, preventing full relaxation and reducing blood ejection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The condition where fluid compresses the heart and limits its ability to contract is called cardiac tamponade. When excess fluid builds up in the pericardial space, it puts pressure on the heart and prevents full relaxation, leading to a decrease in blood ejection from the heart. Common causes of cardiac tamponade include excess fluid accumulation, such as from pericarditis, myocardial rupture, cancer, or cardiac surgery.