Shortness Of Breath But Not Asthma? Beware Of Potential Hidden Heart Diseases

YOGYAKARTA - Have you ever felt that your breath feels heavy and short of breath? Even though asthma is often the main suspect, in fact, there is a disease of shortness of breath but not asthma that can trigger similar symptoms.

From allergies to heart disease, the causes of shortness of breath are much more diverse than we thought. Let's explore more in various factors that can cause difficulty breathing and how to deal with it.

Reporting from the Dispatch page of Dr. Erika Kube, an emergency doctor at Mid-Ohio Emergency Services and OhioHealth shared her experience while she was on duty and a patient named Ken came up with health complaints.

With a long history of asthma, Ken initially suspected that he was experiencing the asthma attack he usually experienced during the changing seasons. However, after further examination, Dr. Kube found several irregularities.

Ken's breath sounds more like a bubble of water than a winding sound that is typical of asthma sufferers. In addition, swelling in his feet and used leg T-shirt stress are important clues.

The deeper Dr. Kube digs into his medical history, the clearer it is that Ken's problems are more complex than just asthma attacks. The chest pain he experienced a few days earlier, even though it had subsided, was very worrying.

Also read the article that discusses How to Treat Asma To Get Full Recovery With This Habit

The results of EKG and chest X-rays confirmed Dr. Kube's suspicions. Changes in EKG and the presence of fluids in the lungs indicate a possible heart failure. Laboratory results also strengthen this allegation.

Dr. Kube then explained to Ken that his respiratory problems were not caused by asthma, but by a more serious heart condition. Most likely, Ken had suffered a heart attack a few days earlier, and symptoms of shortness of breath and swelling of his leg were the result of weakening heart function.

After providing initial treatment and explaining his condition, Ken underwent a series of further examinations. The results confirm the diagnosis of heart failure due to a heart attack.

Reporting from the American Heart Association, now more and more evidence shows that asthma is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

"We call this major change in the airways a swelling, swelling, and shortness of breath," said Dr. Tyra Bryant-Stephens, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and medical director of its Community Asma Prevention Program.

"We try to control the swelling and die, which is mucus, because that's why the airways get offended easily when responding to certain irritants or allergens."

Some studies suggest people with asthma may face higher risks for a variety of heart-related problems.

One analysis, published in the journal CHEST in 2020 (following participants for more than 35 years) found a link between asthma and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Then a 2022 study in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) showed that participants with persistent asthma have a higher characterid plaque score and a higher level of inflammatory biomarkers than people without asthma.

Dr. Nizar Jarjour, who co-wrote the JAHA study, said there are still many questions about the relationship between asthma and cardiovascular disease.

Scientists do know that asthma and cardiovascular disease have the same bond, namely inflammation. The lungs add oxygen to the blood, which is then pumped by the heart throughout the body.

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