Why do I feel chest tightness and shortness of breath at night?

Some friends will experience chest tightness and shortness of breath at night. There are many reasons for this symptom, such as arrhythmia, heart failure, lung disease, etc. If such symptoms occur for a long time, you should see a doctor for examination to find out the cause.

①Arrhythmia: the most common cause. A normal person's heartbeat rhythm is regular and the frequency is suitable for physiological needs. The heart beats slower when resting and faster when exercising; children beat faster and the elderly beat slower. The regular beating of the heart relies on the regular stimulation of weak electrical signals emitted by its special tissue, the "sinoatrial node". If there is a problem with the generation and conduction of this electrical signal, the heartbeat will be too fast, too slow or irregular, which is called arrhythmia.

② Left heart failure: more common in hypertension, coronary heart disease, valvular heart disease, etc. The precursor symptoms are that the person likes to raise his pillow when sleeping and is often awakened by chest tightness and shortness of breath. Sudden onset of nocturnal dyspnea is a typical symptom of left heart failure.

③ Respiratory diseases: When suffering from chronic respiratory diseases, the alveoli are usually obstructed, resulting in enlarged alveoli, decreased elasticity, and impaired lung function. It is common in chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, etc., and manifests as difficulty breathing. The cough is aggravated by the slightest activity and sputum is difficult to cough up. It should be treated early.

④ Pulmonary embolism: It is more common in heart valve disease. If you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, and cough, you need to be alert. When coronary artery blood supply is incomplete due to coronary heart disease, the elderly often feel chest tightness, and it is best to have an electrocardiogram in time.

⑤ Lung cancer, advanced tuberculosis, silicosis, bronchial asthma, etc. all have symptoms of shortness of breath.