I had a similar problem a few years back and a stress test indicated I had Pulmonary Hypertension caused by acute pulmonary embolus. Blood clots in the lungs. For most people this is treatable with blood thinners but I was lucky enough to have the type that required surgery called Pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE) Your cardio Dr will probably order a comprehensive stress test, and you can go from there.

After reading OKCGene and amhaynie comments here’s another thought. Yes, Incentive Spirometry is used to prevent atelectasis, collapsing of the lungs. It’s used post surgery, and is really helpful when trying to shake mucus loose.
But, there’s another Gizmo that is used on expiration. There’s a few different names for the devices that use the same principle. The names are Flutter, Acapella, and Air Ease. These devices use oscillations of exhaled air to help vibrate the mucus loose. Basically, you’re shaking mucus loose from the inside and making it easier to cough up. In the old days, prior to these hand held devices, we used chest clapping and postural drainage after a breathing treatment. Regardless of what technique, or meds used, (Mucinex), the mucus has to be thin enough, (drink enough fluids) and the airways must be open enough to be able to cough it up. Both of these treatments work well, one on inspiration, one on exhalation.

Well, everything came to head the other day.
Blood pressure dropped through the floor on a toilet run and an hour later it came up to 68/50.
Got hauled to hospital where they rejiggered my BP medications and drew off what looked like about a quart of liver colored fluid from left lung area.
Coughing is much more productive now, I feel so much better, I still can barely stand, but can’t walk more than a step or two.
I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the input. Being weak as a kitten is depressing. Taking care of me is too much for my wife. Thanks guys.

Wow sport shooter. I hope you are on the mend and that your wife is ok also.
I would still be checking into the heart issues. I learned with my father and to a much lesser extent, heart-lungs-kidneys is a vicious circle. All depend on proper perfusion and each affect the other………I’m sure I’ll be corrected if this is wrong

Best wishes to you and your wife sir….

Hey just wanted to check up on you, hope you are doing well.
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