differential for spasm vs heart attack - Lung & Respiratory Disorders / COPD Message Board

RCKDMD · 03-27-2003, 05:56 AM

I wonder just how you can intelligently tell whether you are having bronchial spasms or a heart attack. Symptoms- deep severe pressure pain in the sternum area that feels like a weight on your chest. No other related symptoms, ie sweating, radiating pain,abnormal pulse rate. I have had two such attacks and always wonder whether I should bother the MD's in the middle of the night. I've not had a history nor are there any post event indications of a cardiac event. Lucky or dumb?

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bob

wrin · 03-30-2003, 07:48 PM

Chest pain is a serious symptom. Ways to tell that aren't definitive (meaning if you're not sure go to the dr.) are if the pain is worse on inspiration then it's more likely lung pain, if the pain is localized and doesn't radiate it could be lung pain, if the pain is sharp and comes and goes with breathing rhythms rather than being constant, probably lung pain.

If your bronchodilators don't make the pain go away though, go to the doctor's or emergency room.

RCKDMD · 05-08-2003, 07:52 AM

Thanks so very much for your response. I had finally worked through a better understanding visa vis your very suggestions. The pain increased with inspirations and finaly disappeared with several albuterol inhilations- like 2x more than my normal dose. It is interesting to me that these 'attacks' mostly occur at 3-4AM and at no other time. Again, my appreciation for the response, Bob