Hi Sherry, Thank you for writing in. I am a medical specialist with sub specialty of Csardiology. I assume that hiatal hernia has been diagnosed by a specialist. Most of the symptoms of hiatal hernia are due to acid contents of stomach spilling into your food pipe. Therefore, your heartburn, pain in the middle chest are due to this. As part of stomach occupies the space where the lungs are therefore feeling of hard to breath occurs. What can not be explained is Diarrhea, therefore, consult your primary doctor, I am sure he would like to rule out Giardiasis, Amoebiasis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I assume asthma is well controlled with inhaler for when you have the episode of hard to breathe , is there whistling sound or wheeze. Meaning thereby perhaps you need more prescription drugs for asthma. Surgery, is curative for Hiatal Hernia, and it is done when patient is feeling bad so that symptoms are taken care of. Asthma will not give much problem to your surgeon and anesthetist though you can remove your apprehension by speaking to them. I assure you that you have taken right decision for surgery, go ahead. Best of Luck. Dr Anil Grover Medical Specialist & Cardiologist