Tight chest and chest pain

@lilianna Not wanting to be alarmist, but I experienced this for a long time, with no history of heart issues and only mild high blood pressure. When I had Covid the Nurse Practitioner didn't believe the pain and pressure were caused by either asthma or bronchiectasis and ordered an ECG. She declared it abnormal and se t me to th ER. Well, after a lotof testing, it was determined it was determined I had a partial heart blockage and angina. It is being successfully treated with medication.

Please go to your doctor or walk in clinic or the ER.
When we have breathing problems, of course we think it’s our lungs doing extra things; but not all breathing changes are lung issues.
It is important to check out the heart.
Let us know how you get on!
All the best.

Due to all that goes along with dealing with and what one goes through in having BE I made an appointment with a cardiologist to have myself checked out. Yes I am older but with what we have to do to clear the airways and the possible pressure we might be causing internally, without realizing it, I decided to see the cardiologist. Result, a minor concern. This was my first visit ever to a cardiologist and he wants to see me once a year to watch everything.
Barbara

I had a Bronchoscopy in 2022, at which time they discovered heart arrhythmia. It was asymptomatic, and they said to see a cardiologist right away. It is now being treated with medication, and I see both a cardiologist as well as an electrocardiologist once a year.

Thank you to all who were concerned. I saw my pulmonologist who sent me to ER- I had all tests for a blood clot and except for elevated D-diner which shows a possibility of a blood clot in lungs, all were negative. I still have to do a ct angiogram coronary ( again a ct) my point is. We all have so many aches and pains that at least, I started the “ wait longer” approach and trying not to complain constantly. And I might have had a blood clot- who knows now. So don’t be silly. React to your pains. Thank god I am still here able to enjoy my grandkids and small things.

Interesting.....electrocardiologist. I learn so much on this site. I had not heard of that specialist until your post,
I wish I had not been ignorant in 2021 when the pulmonologist just said to me "You just have large lungs" verses what would have been best...to "error on the side of caution" and do a CScan to be sure there is nothing else going on. My opinion, now knowing about all the factors involved with BE, I believe my lungs were inflammed and should have been checked out further with a CScan and I would have been diagnosed a year earlier.
My primary doctor finally in 8/22 with my weight loss ordered the CScan...result BE.
Barbara

My pulmonologist has recently sent me to a doctor that treats pulmonary hypertension who practices from the Cardiology Department at the same hospital, National Jewish Health in Denver.
To rule out blood clot in lungs, he has ordered a CT Scan/ct angiogram.
Better to be safe, and have all tests done that a doctor orders.

@blm1007blm1007
It is frustrating. I had some hyperinflation (on its own doesn’t necessarily mean a problem) on a lung xray two years before I was diagnosed with BE.

From hyperinflation, to infections not treated properly, to a diagnosis of BE, all within 2 years. I’m guessing the infections destroyed some cilia in my lungs.

Family doctor brushed off the hyperinflation yet I was experiencing symptoms- infections, sinusitis, coughing etc etc

Later I asked for a CT scan and was told it wasn’t necessary. There were no sputum tests done although I asked several times and there was absolutely no discussion about my lungs.

People are genuinely lucky to have a physician who is curious and interested in diagnosis.

We are often good advocates for family, but we need to be a strong advocate for ourselves too, as others have noted.

And there we have it.....doctors who won't error on the side of caution.
If I had known about CScans I would have said to the pulmonologist..."I'd rather error on the side of caution and do a CScan." Most times that cliche works for me with the doctors.
At least we finally received the diagnosis.
Barbara

I have mac and be. Had chest tightness and pain this week, too. Contacted my pulmonologist and he prescribed a short term antibiotic prescription. Second day of taking the antibiotic and it has helped. I experience a flare up like this every two to three months.