About-Cardio
-
We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Cardiac Asthma Treatment
Introduction
Cardiac asthma is not a true form of asthma but rather a condition caused by congestive heart failure (CHF). It results from fluid accumulation in the lungs due to poor heart function, leading to wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.
Causes of Cardiac Asthma
The primary cause is left-sided heart failure, where the heart cannot pump blood efficiently, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary congestion). Common causes include: - Hypertension (high blood pressure) - Coronary artery disease - Valvular heart disease - Cardiomyopathy
Symptoms
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea), especially at night
- Wheezing (similar to bronchial asthma)
- Cough producing frothy sputum
- Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
- Chest discomfort
Differences Between Cardiac and Bronchial Asthma
- Cardiac Asthma is caused by heart failure, while Bronchial Asthma is due to airway inflammation.
- Cardiac Asthma worsens with lying down (orthopnea), while Bronchial Asthma is usually triggered by allergens.
Treatment Strategies
1. Acute Management (Emergency Treatment)
- Oxygen therapy to improve blood oxygen levels.
- Diuretics (e.g., furosemide) to remove excess fluid.
- Vasodilators (e.g., nitroglycerin) to reduce heart workload.
- Morphine (in some cases) to relieve anxiety and breathing difficulty.
- Positive pressure ventilation (CPAP or BiPAP) in severe cases.
2. Long-term Management
- Treat Underlying Heart Failure:
- ACE inhibitors or ARBs (to reduce heart strain)
- Beta-blockers (to improve heart function)
- Diuretics (to prevent fluid buildup)
- Aldosterone antagonists (to control fluid retention)
- Lifestyle Modifications:
- Salt restriction in diet
- Regular physical activity (as per doctor’s advice)
- Weight management
- Avoid Triggers:
- Minimize stress and physical overexertion
- Control high blood pressure and diabetes
Conclusion
Cardiac asthma is a serious condition that requires immediate and ongoing management. By controlling heart failure and lifestyle modifications, patients can prevent recurrent episodes and improve their quality of life.
Source recommendations
1. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute and Chronic Heart Failure
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-and-Chronic-Heart-Failure
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34447992/
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/36/3599/6358045
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22611136/
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/44/37/3627/7246292
2. American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines for the Management of Heart Failure
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2022/03/29/19/53/2022-AHA-ACC-HFSA-Heart-Failure-Guideline-gl-hf
- https://professional.heart.org/en/science-news/-/media/832EA0F4E73948848612F228F7FA2D35.ashx
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35363499/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109721083959
-
If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
Always up-to-date information
On a daily basis, we monitor for you all new scientific research publications in leading scientific journals on medical issues of interest to you.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
Get second opinion
Here you can learn everything that even your doctor may not know about cardiology (if he does not speak English and he does not read 117 leading medical journals on cardiology every month).
The most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of free cardiology materials
Our website contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of free cardiology materials in your country.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.