Cardiac Asthma: Symptoms and Understanding the Condition

Introduction

Cardiac asthma is not a type of traditional asthma; instead, it is a form of breathing difficulty caused by heart failure. This condition arises due to fluid accumulation in the lungs (pulmonary congestion) when the heart is unable to pump efficiently. Recognizing the symptoms early can help in proper diagnosis and management.

Symptoms of Cardiac Asthma

The symptoms of cardiac asthma often mimic those of bronchial asthma, but they are related to heart function rather than airway inflammation. Key signs to watch for include:

• Shortness of breath (Dyspnea): Often occurs at night (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea) or after lying down (orthopnea).
• Wheezing and Coughing: Can be accompanied by frothy, sometimes blood-tinged sputum.
• Chest Tightness: A sensation of pressure or discomfort in the chest.
• Fatigue and Weakness: Due to insufficient oxygen supply to tissues.
• Rapid Breathing (Tachypnea): Increased respiratory rate as the body tries to compensate for low oxygen levels.
• Cyanosis: A bluish tint to the lips or extremities due to poor oxygenation.
• Cold Sweat and Anxiety: These symptoms can occur due to labored breathing and stress on the heart.
• Swelling in the Legs and Ankles: A possible sign of worsening heart failure.

Differentiating Cardiac Asthma from Bronchial Asthma

Since symptoms can overlap, it is important to distinguish between cardiac and bronchial asthma: - Heart-related Symptoms: If symptoms worsen when lying down and are relieved by sitting up, it suggests cardiac asthma. - Response to Inhalers: Unlike bronchial asthma, cardiac asthma does not significantly improve with bronchodilators. - Presence of Heart Failure: Patients often have a history of heart conditions such as hypertension or coronary artery disease.

When to Seek Medical Help

If you experience severe shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, or confusion, seek immediate medical attention. Cardiac asthma can be a life-threatening condition requiring urgent management.

Conclusion

Cardiac asthma is a serious manifestation of heart failure that requires medical intervention. Proper management of the underlying heart condition, lifestyle modifications, and medications can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.

Source recommendations

1. American Heart Association Guidelines on Heart Failure

1. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063
2. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure
3. https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements
4. https://www.heart.org/en/professional/quality-improvement/get-with-the-guidelines/get-with-the-guidelines-heart-failure
5. https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/-/media/832EA0F4E73948848612F228F7FA2D35.ashx

2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Acute and Chronic Heart Failure

1. https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-and-Chronic-Heart-Failure
2. https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/36/3599/6358045
3. https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Focused-Update-on-Heart-Failure-Guidelines
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34447992/
5. https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/44/37/3627/7246292