Cardiac asthma is not "true" asthma but instead refers to the associated wheezing of heart failure, according to MayoClinic.com. The build-up of fluid in the lungs constricts airways causing asthmatic symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. Cardiac asthma can affect either the left or right heart ventricle and usually occurs several hours after a person falls asleep. Unlike "true" asthma, which develops due to the inflammation of bronchial paths, MayoClinic.com says, cardiac asthma has specific medications that treat both the causes of heart failure and asthma symptoms. If patients suspect cardiac asthma is present, immediately contact a medical professional for evaluation and treatment.
Water Pills
Water pills, or diuretics, are a common prescription, as they act to reduce lung water to improve gas exchange, according to the National Institutes of Health article "Cardiac Asthma---its origin, recognition and management." Additionally, diuretics can work in tandem with medication to stabilize the heart condition, which improves breathing, YourAsthmaTreatment.com says. Common diuretics include indapamide, hydrocholorothiazide and methychlorothiazide and treat hypertension, or high blood pressure, and congestive heart failure, according to Drugs.com.
Bronchodilators
Bronchodilators such as albuterol and epinephrine help to relax the smooth muscles around the airway to reduce constriction and open the airways, according to MedlinePlus. This treatment does not improve heart-related conditions and requires close monitoring by a medical professional, as some bronchodilators can increase the heart rate. MayoClinic.com warns that overuse of these rescue inhalers can actually worsen your symptoms causing dangerous heart rhythms. Nonetheless, bronchodilators bring rapid relief for cardiac asthmatics that have shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing if used appropriately.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids closely resemble the hormone cortisol, which the body's adrenal gland naturally produces, according to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. Their use is generally short-term and helps to significantly decrease the inflamed tissue that causes difficulty breathing. Generally, this treatment is a last resort for cardiac asthmatics since addressing the heart condition directly usually quells the breathing problems, according to YourAsthmaTreatment.com.
