Cardiac Asthma vs Bronchial Asthma

What’s the Difference?

Cardiac asthma is not true asthma, but rather breathing difficulties caused by heart failure. Bronchial asthma is another name for the common form of asthma most people are familiar with. The term “bronchial” is used mostly by doctors to differentiate it from cardiac asthma. The two conditions share similar symptoms, including shortness of breath and wheezing, but they have quite different causes.

An Explanation of Cardiac Asthma

During cardiac asthma, the pumping efficiency of the left side of the heart is reduced. This leads to a build up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema), which causes the airways to narrow. Shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing may result.

Signs & Symptoms of Cardiac Asthma

The main signs and symptoms of cardiac asthma are:

• coughing
• rapid and shallow breathing
• shortness of breath (with or without wheezing)
• an increase in blood pressure
• an increase in heart rate
• a feeling of apprehension

People with bronchial asthma tend to experience shortness of breath in the morning, whereas people with cardiac asthma usually wake up breathless a few hours after going to bed, and have to sit upright to catch their breath. This is because for those with cardiac asthma, lying down for prolonged periods of time causes fluid to accumulate in the lungs, thus putting more pressure on and restricting airways. Doctors use this pattern of shortness of breath as a way to determine which type of asthma patients have.

Overexertion tends to cause shortness of breath for those suffering from bronchial asthma as well as people suffering from cardiac asthma. In bronchial asthma, symptoms are brought on by vigorous exercise and tend to worsen after exercise rather than during it. Cardiac asthma symptoms are brought on by less vigorous exertion; someone with cardiac asthma can find themselves short of breath while climbing stairs or even while getting dressed.

People with cardiac asthma tend to have problems with swollen ankles that worsen during the course of the day. They may also feel tired, put on weight, and have to urinate frequently.

Cardiac asthma can be a life-threatening condition, and you should consult your doctor if you think you have symptoms of cardiac asthma.

See Also

For further information about Cardiac Asthma Symptoms and Treatment.