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Cardiac Asthma: Overview & More

Symptoms

The respiratory symptoms of left ventricular failure are similar to those of asthma, especially in the early stages of the sickness. These symptoms may include wheezing, cough, chest tightness, shortness of breath…

In some cases, the respiratory symptoms of heart failure may be the initial and most important symptoms, but they mostly manifest with other symptoms. Some of these symptoms may be missed or misdiagnosed. These symptoms are:

  • Lack of appetite [1]
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Increased need to pee at night (nocturia)
  • Persistent weakness
  • Unexpected weight gain accompanied by fluid retention
  • Edema (tissue swelling, mainly of the lower limbs) [2]
  • Fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Shortness of breath when lying flat.
  • Fainting
  • Skin appears blue

Symptoms like these, especially exacerbating or persistent ones, may tell you something other than asthma is present. Cardiac asthma is especially common in elderly people and the most common symptom is wheezing.

Asthma attacks mostly start and terminate abruptly, and most people completely recover with no long-term effects. The severe, progressive nature of heart failure is like symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and cough may reduce for a short time, but will inevitably continue until proper treatment is given.