On the occasion of World Asthma Day we should also know what is cardiac asthma which is often confused with asthma but cardiac asthma is not actually bronchial asthma although its symptoms are similar to asthma and are shortness of breath, wheezing and extreme symptoms. inconvenience According to health experts, cardiac asthma is a shortness of breath caused by cardiac causes, usually a heart attack.
Cardiac asthma is a medical condition caused by congestive heart failure (CHF), a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. When the heart doesn’t work properly, fluid builds up in the lungs, causing shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing, similar to bronchial asthma, but the condition is called a heart attack because the symptoms are caused by the heart. than the lungs.
Cardiac asthma is most common in older adults and people with a history of heart disease, and symptoms may be more severe at night and may be triggered by flatulence or physical activity. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Kaushal Chhatrapati, MD DM, FACC FSCAI FESC, Interventional Cardiologist explained, “When the heart muscle weakens for any reason (heart attack being the most common cause), it cannot pump blood forward. Effectively. This is documented by a decline in the heart’s “ejection fraction,” or force of contraction. The normal ejection fraction, expressed as a percentage, is 65%. When it is 40% or less, heart failure occurs. Blood that is not pumped by the heart collects in the lungs. This minute air leaks into the sacs where respiration takes place. This prevents the gas and oxygen levels in the blood from decreasing. Patients experience coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing. It’s cardiac asthma.”
Stressing that bronchial asthma and cardiac asthma are very easy to differentiate, Dr Kaushal Chhatrapati highlighted:
1. A history of allergies and a tendency to asthma attacks from an early age support the diagnosis of bronchial asthma. In cardiac asthma, there is a history of heart disease, hypertension and or diabetes.
2. Pink frothy sputum indicates cardiac asthma. Patients with bronchial asthma may produce sticky, greasy sputum.
3. A rapid and dramatic response to inhalers or nebulization of asthma medications favors bronchial asthma. Cardiac asthma usually does not respond to bronchodilators alone, although they may help a little. IV diuretics (“diuretics”) provide rapid symptomatic relief in cardiac asthma.
4. History and pulmonary function tests are definitive tests to diagnose bronchial asthma. An ECG can give clues about underlying heart disease in cardiac asthma. However, 2D echocardiography is the definitive test for diagnosing cardiac asthma, along with some blood tests.
Talking about ways to avoid cardiac asthma, Dr. Kaushal Chhatrapati suggests:
1. Regularly take medicines for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease.
2. If the patient has low EF, he should limit salt and water intake as per doctor’s advice.
3. Both cardiac and bronchial asthma begin with lung infections. Therefore, both patients should receive seasonal influenza and pneumococcal vaccines.
Heart attack is a dangerous disease but, if treated correctly, many patients can lead healthy and productive lives. Treatment for cardiac asthma involves managing the underlying heart condition through medication, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgery.
Diuretics may also be used to reduce fluid build-up in the lungs and relieve symptoms. It is important for anyone experiencing heart attack symptoms to seek medical attention as soon as possible to receive appropriate treatment.