What Causes Wheezing, Shortness Of Breath And Consistent Arrhythmia?

Posted on Fri, 26 Jan 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 26 Jan 2018 Answered on

Fri, 3 Aug 2018 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi! I am a medical student and probably over thinking this but wanted to ask someone first. For the past 4 days I have been experiencing very consistent arrhythmias and starting last night and tonight I have been unable to sleep due to wheezing, chest tightness and a bit of shortness of breath that occurs only when I lay down. I have felt exhausted this week and have had to take many naps. My family has a medical history of A fib and I have been diagnosed with sinus node tachycardia. Should I seek immediate attention for this? Or since its been happening for a few days is it more likely I am getting sick.

Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get evaluated further

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome
This is Dr Sameer cardiologist.
First I would tell you that A Fib is not a hereditary disease. It could be due to dilated heart or electrolytes abnormality which can be because of lot of causes.
Being a medical student you yourself can diagnose A Fib. You can feel your pulse. If it is irregularly irregular, it is AF.
But I feel that as you have a respiratory tract infection, which is causing you breathlessness and wheezing is also causing the abnormality in heart beat. I guess it is sinus tachycardia or sinus arrhythmia which is common in this condition.
Still I will advise you to get a ECG and a 2D Echo done to rule out any possibility of abnormality.
Get back to me after the test results.
I hope they come out normal.
Thanks and take care

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana