Ask a doctor - Does a pulmonary embolism feel like an asthma attack?

Q. Does a pulmonary embolism feel like an asthma attack?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

No, pulmonary embolism (PE) and asthma attack are two very distinct conditions. PE occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs, blocking an artery and leading to an inability to breathe normally. Symptoms of a PE can include shortness of breath that suddenly worsens, sharp chest pain that gets worse with deep breaths or coughing, rapid breathing or heart rate, feeling faint or light-headed, sweating or clammy skin. An asthma attack is typically caused by a disruption in the airways due to inflammation resulting from allergies or stress. Symptoms from an asthma attack vary from person to person but usually consist of wheezing and tightness on the chest causing difficulty in breathing as well as coughing often accompanied by mucus production. In summary: PE causes symptoms related to insufficient lung oxygenation whereas an asthmatic episode causes respiratory distress through bronchoconstriction and inflammation.