A 55-year-old woman has chest tightness, panic and shortness of breath at night

Chest tightness and shortness of breath is a very common disease in life. Most elderly people will experience this condition, which is mainly caused by insufficient blood supply in our body. If a person stays in a closed space for a long time, it will cause chest tightness and shortness of breath. If the elderly feel unwell or short of breath at night, they should inform their children in time so that they can go to the hospital in time.

Chest tightness and shortness of breath are common problems among modern middle-aged and elderly people. The main symptoms of chest tightness can be described as: there is a heavy object pressing on the chest, making it difficult to inhale and exhale, and deep breathing is required to feel comfortable. Others may feel as if their lungs are filling with fluid when they take a deep breath. A few patients experience chest pain.

Shortness of breath mainly occurs when sleeping and exerting oneself. The patient feels a sense of pressure in the chest and cannot breathe normally, and can only gasp for air by sitting up. Many patients have to use pillows or choose to sleep in a chair to feel more comfortable.

Causes of chest tightness and shortness of breath

Chest tightness and shortness of breath is a very common problem, which is more common in middle-aged and elderly people, and a few young people may also have this problem. Although chest tightness and shortness of breath may seem like minor problems, they can be very troublesome when they occur. So what are the main causes of chest tightness and shortness of breath? What are the hazards to our health? Let’s take a look together.

1. Functional chest tightness

It refers to the feeling of chest tightness and fatigue caused by staying in a room with closed doors and windows and poor air circulation for a long time, encountering some unpleasant things, or even quarreling or arguing with others, or being in a climate with low air pressure.

2. Anxiety

Inner experience: feeling anxious and irritable all day long; changes in the autonomic nervous system: chest tightness, rapid heartbeat, palpitations, decreased gastrointestinal motility, decreased appetite, etc.; motor system manifestations include weakness, weak hands and feet, fine tremors, shaking, unnecessary movements such as blinking, clenching teeth, tense facial muscles, restlessness, etc.

3. Coronary ischemia

Patients with coronary artery ischemia often experience chest tightness and shortness of breath. Coronary artery ischemia can easily lead to sudden death, especially from December to February of the following year. If you have this type of disease, you should seek medical attention in time and take appropriate precautions.

4. Respiratory diseases

When suffering from chronic respiratory diseases, the alveoli are usually obstructed, leading to enlargement of the alveoli, decreased elasticity, and impaired lung function. This is common in chronic tracheitis, bronchiectasis, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, etc., and manifests as difficulty breathing. The cough is aggravated by the slightest activity, and sputum is difficult to cough up. Treatment should be sought early.

5. Left heart failure

It is more common in hypertension, coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, etc. The precursor symptoms are that the person likes to raise his pillow when sleeping and is often awakened by chest tightness and shortness of breath. Sudden onset of nocturnal dyspnea is a typical symptom of left heart failure.