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What Is The Difference Between Bronchospasm And Ectopic Heart Rhythms?

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Posted on Thu, 4 May 2017
Question: Is there a way to distinguish between symptoms of bronchospasms and ectopic heart rhythms (PACs, PVCs etc.) in terms of how they feel in your chest?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Symptoms explained, need work up to confirm.

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking

I read your question and i understand your concern. Bronchospasm usually presents with shortness of breath, cough, wheezes, chest tightness and has a history of some lung disease like asthma, chronic smoking etc. On the other hand ectopic rhythms and PCS PACs etc usually present with palpitations, sudden loss of consciousness or syncope , irregular heartbeat and pulse etc . If you have any such symptoms please visit your local hospital and they will run some baseline tests and you will have an idea what is wrong.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.

Regards
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (1 hour later)
Thank you kindly Dr. XXXXXXX You've helped me before. :)

I have a history both of heart ectopies and palpitations as well as asthma and dyspnea from toxic mold-induced vasculitis (positive for myeloperoxidase and proteinase-3 antibodies as well as CH50 complement).

My palpitations from heart ectopies in the past have felt like chest spasms. Is it the case that bronchospasms, symptomologically speaking, can feel similar to palpitations from heart ectopies?

doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
SYmptoms overlap

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me

With both asthma and ectopies and palpitations in history, i am afraid its really impossible to correlate symptom and specify it to one etiology with out work up as some symptoms may overlap and can be due to both, also one worsen another after all lungs and heart are correlated.

I would like you to consult a local physician , go to hospital, let them assess the asthma control by running some baseline work up like spirometry with reversibility, Peak expiratory flow rate etc and also serial ecgs to find out any change or increase in ectopic beats.

Another way of checking is taking some bronchodilator inhaler and see if the symptoms improve, if these does then asthma was a likely trigger and needs more control and dose adjustment. And answer to your symptomatology is yes, you can fee overlap of symptoms of due to both causes.

I hope it helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else you need to understand and have an idea about.

I will be here for you.
Regards
Khan


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (38 hours later)
Dr. XXXXXXX thank you so much for your helpful answer. :)

I have had recent ecgs and a 24 holter monitor showing PVCs, PACs, ventricular couplets, sinus bradycardia, sinus tachycardia, and sinus arrhythmia, with nothing problematic in frequency of ectopy - but these assessments have never been done when the chest spasms are bad.

Here is some somewhat recent data from complete pulmonary function tests with post bronchodilator spirometry: (1) 11/02/16. FEV1/FVC 0.55, FEV1 50% predicted; (2) 12/16/16. FEV1/FVC 0.66, FEV1 72% predicted; (3) 01/09/17. FEV1/FVC 0.64, FEV1 83% predicted. The providers never discussed their interpretation of this PFT data with me. I am a 40 year old male. What do you think of above PFT data as regards restrictive, obstructive or other pulmonary patterns in light of possible bronchospams?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No worries

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me

Your ECG shows multiple abnormalities but all priorly diagnosed and under management so no worries for that. Your pulmonary functions tests of november had low FEV1/FVC which indicates obstructive pattern correlated with bronchospasm. However this recent one in january is perfectly normal. Now bronchospasm with this spirometry should be evaluated for COPD and heart related orthopnea, dyspnea and pulmonary edema etc if its needed. For now your parameters are in good range and i dont see any reason to be concerned about.

I hope it helps.
Regards
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (47 hours later)
Dr. XXXXXXX my thanks to you. I will absolutely give you a good rating on here. Can you give me an example of FEV1/FVC, FEV % PFT results which would be considered serious and indicative of advanced cases of COPD or other obstructive pulmonary conditions?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (20 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Please provide PFT Report to comment on

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me,

Deranged pulmonary function tests depend on the type of disease. Please provide me with the PFT report and I would comment on that. There are few parameters that need to be considered.

FEV1/FVC can be low or even normal but still, severity depends on the type of the disease. its very complicated and beyond scope of discussion on this forums. Please provide with PFTs report if done, and I will guide you through.

Awaiting..

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (24 hours later)
Dr. XXXXXXX I'm always thankful when you are a responding physician on here.

The only copies I have of the PFTs are actual paper copies. The graphs and other numerical data are not on the online patient portal, otherwise I would do a simple copy and paste into body of this message. Let me know if you have any thoughts on transmitting such data. Meanwhile, asking office if they can email me attachments of the PFTs...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Picture upload an option

Detailed Answer:
You can just take a picture of that with your XXXXXXX and upload an attachment, a clear picture, and a few if needed to have better understand it.

I hope it helps.
Regards
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (14 hours later)
Dr. XXXXXXX I was not aware I could upload data onto this website.

Uploaded are the three PFTs you requested.

I will give you a five star high value rating for your high value informational guidance here.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
PFTs not correctly done. Inconclusive

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me
I am afraid these pulmonary function tests are not done correctly and the initial requirement of forceful breathing and maximum effort has not been achieved . Also bronchodilation was also very necessary to assess post dilation parameters. This is called PFTs with reversibility and with current reports it really is not possible to comment on any root cause behind it. So far the parameters show restrictive disease only if it stays same even after bronchodilation, as that has not occurred so these labs are pretty much inconclusive.

I am afraid you have to repeat these as your dr XXXXXXX requested too.
I hope it helps.
Regards
Khan
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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What Is The Difference Between Bronchospasm And Ectopic Heart Rhythms?

Brief Answer: Symptoms explained, need work up to confirm. Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking I read your question and i understand your concern. Bronchospasm usually presents with shortness of breath, cough, wheezes, chest tightness and has a history of some lung disease like asthma, chronic smoking etc. On the other hand ectopic rhythms and PCS PACs etc usually present with palpitations, sudden loss of consciousness or syncope , irregular heartbeat and pulse etc . If you have any such symptoms please visit your local hospital and they will run some baseline tests and you will have an idea what is wrong. I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please. Regards Khan