Yes, it is possible your brother could have had pulmonary edema. I had congested (pulmonary edema) heart failure. With that I had a severe dry cough, choking feeling, hyperventilation when reclined. Sitting up gave relief, but my pulmonary edema was classified as mild...I wouldn't wish a severe case on anyone!
Antibiotics is ineffective for pulmonary edema. A strong antibiotic for pnuemonia should have helped. Sweating, dizziness, faint and disoriented can be symptoms of a heart attack. Sometimes the X-ray image is not very clear, and it is possible misread. My enlarged heart was seen by an x-ray.
Thank you for your condolences. I am wondering why the antibiotics didn't help. Do you think the fluid in his lungs was caused by pulmonary edema. He was actually coughing violently when he had his heart attack.
Sorry for your loss and my condolences. Yes, a repiratory problem can cause a weak heart to work harder and the adds stress and can be cause for cardiac arrest.