Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I understand you concern and would like to explain that your clinical symptomatology (gasping for air and unable to breath) while suddenly awaking from sleeping may be explained by several causes which should be carefully differentiated:

(1) Sleep apnea syndrome may be a responsible cause especially if you are overweighed, you are recently experiencing frequent episodes of day-time drowsiness, and night-time sleep disturbances. A useful test to rule in/out this alternative is polysomnography (sleep study).

(2) Breathing difficulty while sleeping may be also a cardiac related symptom. In individuals suffering from exacerbations of heart failure paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea may not be a rarely finding.

A careful physical exam by your doctor (for excluding signs of systemic congestion, presence of cardiac arrhythmia, etc.) and a cardiac ultrasound would definitely elucidate this issue.

(3) Severe anxiety episodes expressing as nightmare while sleeping may also be a reason for your complaints.

Coming to this point, I would ask you if an increased level of anxiety has been present recently.

Properly addressing the stressful daily problems, could lead to a more quiet evening and sleeping time.

(4) Regarding acid reflux, though it doesn't seem likely if no symptoms of esophageal burning (pyrosis) are frequently present (especially while bending or after lying down), there exists a possibility that such a concern to produce your actual clinical scenario.

If the other above options are excluded, and enough suspicions are raised above acid reflux, a fibrogastroscopy could help in confirming/excluding that.

I recommend you consulting with your attending doctor (GP or internist) on the above mentioned issues for a comprehensive differential diagnosis.

Hope to have been helpful to you!

In case of further uncertainties, feel free to ask me again!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri

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