Question: Hello I have been suffering from severe shortness of breath on exertion. On exertion my heart rate elevates and my oxygen levels where falling. Home oxygen has been prescribed but only seems to keep my oxygen level up, while my heart is racing and my neck spasms like some one is choking me. It is difficult to talk and trying to walk say 20 to 40 feet and my heart rate is up to 125 to 135 and it feels like I am dying. I have COPD but my oxygen sats are high at 96 unless I move . My GP suspects hiatal hernia pressing in the diaphragm . I just tried to change the sheets on my bed and the neck was so rigid as was my chest. So soon as I rested I all comes back down. Today was the worst that can actually fully describe the tightness in my neck muscles. Each day I am more and more scared to attempt much. Do you have any ideas on this?

Due you feel it is more likely chf than a hiatal hernia complication in the diaphram. I ask because last year in April i had back surgery, these symptoms appeared and have progressed since then. My elder family members all ended up with chf but since they were much older the drs have ignored my inquires about. Chf. Now that symptoms are severe , and with normal ekgs how do i get them to order other tests. How is the test you recommended more conclusive than ekg. Must i present in a severe episode to paramedics to get proper attention?

Last question , I do have a appointment Thursday 6/4 with a Gastro dr but that off course is not for test but consult. I have appt. 6/3 with my Pulmonology dr. However, I do not think I will be able to withstand another episode like today. I still have jaw and neck muscles that are very sore and tight. If I again try to move around the house , or bath or shower and I have the same reaction normally in chf am I at risk of a severe heart incident , or just severe severe discomfort. If so would a er visit help get any relief from the chest, neck, and jaw pain and shortness of breath. I am fairly knowledgeable about chf, but none of my family presented with such symptoms until it was life threatening and they were on hospice and the symptoms were controlled with Roxinol drops. I understand chf , in terms of weakness and Sob, but not the rigid painful jaw and neck area and the chest pain. Could I be dealing with both chf and a mild but terribly uncomfortable myocardial infraction. If so I sure don't want to suffer here till next week doing damage to my heart?