Intravenous fluids Fluid overload and edema can result from receiving too much IV fluid, especially if other health issues are present. For example, if you have heart failure or kidney disease, you may be at risk for developing fluid retention when given a large volume of liquid through an IV. The primary cause of fluid overload is the excessive amount of water in the blood. This occurs when you receive more fluid than your body removes from itself through urine and sweat. The more fluid that enters your body, the more water must be removed by other means because there is no way to escape it through your lungs or skin. Without proper treatment, fluid overload can lead to heart failure, permanent damage to the organs, and death. IV fluids can also cause swelling if you have any kind of blockage in your veins, such as inflammation or a tumor. This is called "vascular swelling" and it happens when fluid builds up around the obstruction instead of flowing through its normal path. Vascular swelling can lead to additional problems if not treated promptly; for example, if a vein wall ruptures due to pressure changes caused by fluid buildup, then internal bleeding may occur. Your doctor should check your veins regularly for signs of irritation or injury.