Waking up repeatedly gasping for air, and heart racing!

[proudarmymom88]

waking up repeatedly  DURING THE NIGHT  FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS , gasping to get air in my lungs, AS IF SOMEONE IS CHOKING ME AND CUTTING OFF MY AIR SUPPLY! THS IS ALSO associated with MY heart racing SO FAST IT FEELS LIKE ITS GOING TO JUMP OUT OF MY CHEST...AM ALSO SHORT OF BREATH PERFORMING EVEN SIMPLE TASKS DURING TH DAY! MY AGE IS 61 AND AM A SMOKER UNFORTUNATLY..
THE REALLY STRANGE THING IS THAT WHEN I OPEN MY BEDROOM WINDOW IN THE WINTERTIME AND BREATE IN THE COOL AIR..MY HEART RATE SLOWLY RETURNS TO NORMAL!

WHEN I  OPEM MY WNDOW AND
  IF I BREATE IN COOL AIR..HEART RATE RETURNS TO NORMAL..

[lynnkay]

You really should see a pulmonalogist. Almost in ways it sounds like a panic attack in your sleep. Which I suffered from for so many years. But, since you are short of breath and a smoker, I strongly suggest the pulmonary specialist. They will take a chest xray and do a spirometry. A spirometry is a simple breathing test. I am not meaning to scare you whatsoever. But, I was diagnosed 3 yrs. ago with moderate COPD. Like you I was short of breath and a smoker. Please go to a pulmonary doc, have these tests done and hopefully COPD just maybe ruled out. As suggested it could be sleep apnea, asthma or even GERD...acid reflux.

I wish you much luck on this and hope you find answers to your condition. God bless

[hava]

Do this pranayam for more than 15 minutes, twice a day, and your breathing will start to improve. Be patient, as the benefit will be gradual and continue the pranayam for rest of life. The need for smoking will decrease.
Build up your timing gradually.If you feel tired or dizzy, stop and resume after one minute.
Anulom Vilom pranayam –
Close your right nostril with thumb and deep breath-in through left nostril  
then – close left nostril with two fingers and breath-out through right nostril  
then -keeping the left nostril closed  deep breath-in through right nostril
then - close your right nostril with thumb and breath-out through left nostril.
This is one cycle of anulom vilom.
Repeat this cycle for 15 to 30  minutes twice a day.
Children under 15 years – do 5 to 10 minutes twice a day.
You can do this before breakfast/lunch/dinner or before bedtime or in bed.Remember to take deep long breaths into the lungs.You can do this while sitting on floor or chair or lying in bed.

[bsmsl]

You definitely need to see a dr ASAP.  This could be asthma or it could be sleep apnia.  Both can be life threatening.  Asthma is moderate flares can cause these symptoms.  Sleep apnia can cause them and can lead to heart disease, heart attacks, strokes...  Either way, medical evaluation and treatment is needed.

Take care of yourself and see a doctor soon.

[vicki595]

Is this related to any substance abuse?

You need to get with a doctor on this,okay? Perhaps a Pulmonologist.  What you describe is beyond the scope of this forum.

Good luck~