International Journal of Diabetes & its Complications
ISSN: 2573-8895 | DOI: 10.64030/2573-8895
Serife Bilgehan Arici
Cardiac asthma is not a form of bronchial asthma but a clinical manifestation of acute left ventricular failure characterized by wheezing, dyspnea, and cough secondary to pulmonary congestion. Due to overlapping respiratory symptoms, it is frequently misdiagnosed as bronchial asthma, leading to delayed or inappropriate treatment.
We present the case of a 65-year-old male initially presenting with uncontrolled hypertension who subsequently developed acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema (cardiac asthma) triggered by acute myocardial infarction. During the prehospital evaluation, subtle clinical signs including diaphoresis, agitation, and progressive respiratory discomfort raised suspicion of a developing cardiogenic process despite relatively moderate blood pressure elevation.
Early diuretic therapy, close monitoring, and prompt transfer to hospital enabled rapid diagnosis. Electrocardiography revealed ST-segment elevation, and laboratory testing demonstrated markedly elevated troponin levels. Urgent coronary angiography was performed, and the patient survived following timely intervention. This case highlights the importance of clinical vigilance in prehospital settings and emphasizes that wheezing and respiratory distress in elderly hypertensive patients may represent acute cardiac decompensation rather than primary pulmonary disease.