Hi Gene - I also have some cardiac difficulty and copd - to tell truth symptoms re breathing and tightness of chest on exertion I think can't tell the diff between the two.

I don't think there are any quick fixes but a regular regime might well stand you in good stead. My diet includes fresh garlic, green root ginger and chilli most days - all good for respiratory, blood circulation, immune system and generally helping ya to fight them bugs :O)

I don't suffer with panic anxiety attacks now but I did when first diagnosed, I attended pulmonary rehabilitation and the psychologist doc gave a talk about what we can do to help ourselves psychologically, basically that was practising relaxation each day, belly breathing (diaphragmatic breathing), pursed lip breathing and making sure you have some time to yourself to just be peaceful. Playing some relaxing music when you take time out to relax can help enhance your experience and will help to calm you down. I think if you practice daily you will get great benefits from this

The diaphragmatic breathing and pursed lip breathing are useful for both breathing difficulties and anxiety attacks - its best to practise them regularly so that when you feel an attack coming on you can quickly apply the techniques. Also if you can practise breathing out first emptying all lungs then breath in slowly, breathe out longer to say 4 slow counts then breathe in deep to 2 slow counts you can apply this when you feel attack coming on too.

If you can get on a PR course or cardiac rehabilitation course run by the hospital that would help you no end I don't doubt.

Keep breathing and calm

Happy 4 July:
http://www.123greetings.com/events/fourth_of_july/wishes/happy70.html

Jo x

Breathe in slowly through the the nose, then slowly out through pursed lips (like you are blowing out a birthday candle).

Also - this is going to sound nuts (but who cares?):

make yourself breathe in time to a favorite song you mentally play in your head. The song has to be the right pace (slow) and feel calming to you. I use an old gospel hymn called "How Great Thou Art".

With it mentally playing in my head, I breath in - "Oh, Lord, my God"
Then out - "When I in awesome wonder"
Then in - "Consider all"
Then out - "The worlds Thy hands hath made"

If you are unfamiliar with the hymn, listen to it on Google videos - it will give you an idea of the rhythm. Pick a song for yourself whose lyrics you love & has a similar pace, then breath along with it when you feel panicked.

Hugs,
TJ

TJ, that's a lovely way to think about breathing long, slow breaths! Thanks so much for sharing it!
Hugs, Sue

Hi Gene! All good advice for anxiety attack breathing problems. Pursed lip Breathing is the universal cure.

You might remember, I recently flew on a commercial jet for the first time in 8 years. I trained my body hard to lose fat and build lean muscles that require less O2 from my shot lungs. One thing we were all worried about was a panic attack at 40,000 feet altitude. I was flying alone and with only my own lung power. I did all the tests which resulted in my lungs were on the razor edge for flying in the low O2 of a jet cabin without supplemental O2.

I was flying alone for this experiment and my neumologist wanted me to have Pursed Lip Breathing down cold so I could maintain my O2 sat at 90% or better. I practised every night and used the technique at the gym. When the O2 Sat in the plane suddenly fell to 84%, I almost paniced because organ damage can take place at that low O2. I had a fingertip oximeter on the entire flight.

First I kinda shook me arms and legs, did a head roll on my shoulds to relax and took one Looooong inhale thru my nose and longer exhale thru almost shut lips with breath so gentle it was barely a whisp. My O2 Sat began to climb and within a short time I was able to get it to 90% and hold it there for 4 hours.

There are some Pursed Lip Breathing videos on Youtube but pretty much they SUK. In the very near future I am going to make a Pursed Lip Breathing video and pit it on Youtube. If you do it wrong, it can LOWER your O2 SAT.

Now you have consensus- PLB is an easy fix for you.

Be Blessed,

Dale

PLB is an easy fix; I've tried it lately. The damned hot weather makes breathing a chore.