Cardiac asthma: symptoms and causes

What is asthma, almost every person imagines. These are attacks of suffocation, arising periodically as a result of either a malfunction of the heart, or spasm of the bronchi. But that's what causes these disorders and how to distinguish between cardiac asthma and bronchial asthma, we'll talk today.

Causes of cardiac asthma

It should immediately be noted that cardiac asthma is not an independent disease. As a rule, it develops due to prolonged hypertension or after a previous myocardial infarction, as well as cardiosclerosis or various heart defects.

Cardiac asthma, the symptoms of which we will consider below, is manifested as an attack of suffocation caused by stagnation of blood in the pulmonary blood vessels. It causes weakening of the contractility of the left ventricle of the heart. Part of the plasma is outside the vessels and impregnates the lung tissue, which, in turn, entails their edema and, accordingly, a violation of the function of respiration.

Cardiac asthma, symptoms

As a rule, the attack comes at night. At the patient suddenly there is a sharp shortage of air, because of what he is forced to take always the same posture: either sit on the bed, lowering his legs and leaning his hands on its edge, or go to the window and stand leaning on the sill. This greatly facilitates the state.

Otherwise, asthma is manifested by a violation of the pulse: it is weak, arrhythmic, rapid. There is a dry cough with a small amount of pink sputum. Arterial pressure is usually lowered, but can, on the contrary, rise strongly. There is a profuse sweating and a panicky persistent fear of death.

During the day, an attack of cardiac asthma occurs against the background of emotional and physical overloads or a strong increase in pressure.

Cardiac asthma: symptoms that distinguish it from bronchial asthma

Two kinds of suffocation (bronchial and cardiac) should be distinguished, for their treatment, of course, is also different. At the heart of bronchial asthma is, as a rule, an allergy, and it usually manifests itself in the form of urticaria, rhinitis or eosinophilia. While the presence of hypertension, the elderly age of the patient, as well as the defeat in his heart, signal that asthma is heart.

Bronchial asthma is characterized by a difficult exhalation, and a hearth is inhaled. Carrying out the ECG will help differentiate these diseases: in the latter case, the examination will show violations in the work of the heart.

Cardiac asthma: a clinic and consequences

Seizures can cause chronic heart failure in a patient . And if the disease, which was the cause of the occurrence of choking, has a severe form, then this state of things can lead to a fatal outcome.

Cardiac Asthma: Symptoms and First Aid

If an attack occurs, it is necessary to call the emergency service. Before the arrival of doctors, do not fuss and worry the patient, seat him (legs should be stitched), calm down, open the window. At elevated pressure, give the nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue. On the hands and feet, apply tourniquets or tight bandages that will help redistribute the flow of blood and ease the work of the left ventricle of the heart, loosen them every 15 minutes. Do not refuse from hospitalization!