I'm scared my husband wakes up several nights gasping for his breath. He refuses to go see a Dr what do I do? My husband is 5 7 and around 170 lbs and 42 years old. He seems to be fine when we go to bed but he sometimes wakes me up by his jumping out of bed and gasping. He then usually beats on his chest and runs into the bathroom. The attacks end with him coughing. How do I convience him to go when he is so dead set against it. Does he have swelling of the legs, ankles and feet? No Does he have loss of concentration? no Does he have the inability to exercise? no Does he get fatigued? a little Does he find it easier to sleep sitting up? yes Does he urinate a lot during the night? no Does he have a decreased appetite? no He is 5 7 and around 170 lbs. He is 42. He did tell me he has a sharp pain in his chest when this happens. He sleeps with three pillows. Does he have swelling of the legs, ankles and feet? No Does he have loss of concentration ? no Does he have the inability to exercise? no Does he get fatigued? a little Does he find it easier to sleep sitting up? yes Does he urinate a lot during the night? no Does he have a decreased appetite ? no He did tell me he has a sharp pain in his chest when this happens. He sleeps with three pillows.