Cannot lay flat without feeling like chest will explode or pressure.

First pacemaker in 2012 and second pacemaker in 2017. This happened one time when at doctor. EKG shown no problem. Have not been able to lay flat on my back since 2012. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

3 Comments

Chest Pressure

by Dave H - 2019-03-16 14:16:30

I just happened to have the same symptom last night. --- In my case, it involved heart failure. I tossed and turned to no avail. One of the signature clues of heart failure is the discomfort when lying flat on your back. It finally dawned on me what the issue was. At 7AM this morning I weighted 177.8 lbs (measured on two scales) in the nude. I took a 40mg furosemide, and proceeded to urinate big time every 30 minutes. I arose at 10AM and weighted 171.8 lbs, was tired but able to ly flat. --- Do the math!  BTW: 1 Gal of H2O weights 8 lbs.

--Dave--

Chest pressure is a symptom

by Gotrhythm - 2019-03-16 16:32:19

Difficulty lying flat due to feelings of pressure and difficulty breathing is a symptom. Several different diseases and conditions can cause the symptom, some related to the heart, some to the lungs, some to being overweight, some to problems in the digestive system--and that's the short list.

Since there are so many possible causes, not being able to lie flat comfortably isn't an uncommon symptom among an older population who are likely to have more things wrong with them.

Since you are troubled by this symptom, I suggest you have a talk with your doctor about what the underlying problem could be, what tests might be needed to determine the problem, and what can be done about the problem if you do have it.

see a doctor

by Uelrindru - 2019-03-21 13:08:41

When I had that problem it was heart failure. Go see your doctor and tell them what the problem is. use the words pressure. Does it feel like you're heart speeds up when. you lay down or is it harder to breath?

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