What Is Actually Cardiac Asthma
Cardiac asthma, in many situations, is a clinical condition brought about by severe reflexive blocking and may be by edema of the lungs. It is an asthmatic-type breathing caused by sudden blockage of the pulmonary circulation.
Both cardiac asthma facts and pulmonary edema are symptoms of coming heart failure. Both situations are related and have similar consequences. They usually work one after another.
It is a life-threatening condition and you should seek medical advice immediately if you see or experience any symptoms.
In contrast to bronchial asthma, cardiac asthma is caused by failure of the pumping action of the left ventricle of the human heart. It is generally a condition that is suspected in people with a history of hyper tension and heart diseases in the family. It is also to be generally ruled out before proceeding for further treatments if the patient happens to be above the age of forty years.
Cardiac Asthma Treatment
Treatments mainly focus on controlling the night coughs, control of the edema, control of inflow load and the amount of residual blood in the left ventricle. Diuretics (water pills) free the lungs of excess fluid and other medications such as morphines, nitrates help the heart muscles pump more effectively. The wheezing gradually stops when the heart failure has been well controlled.
In some patients who suffer from asthma and heart failure simultaneously, treatment is required for both conditions. A combination of bronchodilators, supplementary oxygen is generally effective in controlling the asthmatic symptoms in addition to treating heart failure in such patients. Corticosteroids are prescribed only when the patient with acute cardiac asthma has not responded well to initial therapy. Corticosteroids usually take long hours to give peak effect. If the asthma is caused by a heart valve that is not working properly or a hole between the heart chambers, surgery or other procedures may be suggested.
