If you experience sudden chest pain, dizziness, sweating, etc., then it may be a sign of pulmonary edema. A serious condition that occurs when fluids fill your lungs and cause life-threatening symptoms. The earlier you receive treatment, the higher the chances of your survival and recovery. For that, early diagnosis of the lungs is necessary. Learn what diagnostic tests are used to diagnose pulmonary edema in this article. Contact the best pulmonologist in Brooklyn by visiting Doral Health and Wellness Pulmonary Center.

Diagnosis and tests
To diagnose breathing problems, your doctor will perform a physical exam to see if you have fluid in your lungs. They go through your symptoms and medical history. Then, they try to listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope. They check you for:
• Increased or decreased heart rate or blood pressure.
• Increased respiratory rate.
• Abnormal heart sounds.
• Crackling sounds or whistling sounds in your lungs.
They might also inspect you for:
• Swelling of your body.
• Gray or bluish skin.

To rule out the condition correctly, the doctor may perform some additional tests, including:
1. Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray is used to diagnose pulmonary edema and remove other possible causes of shortness of breath. This is the first test the doctor will do if they suspect pulmonary edema.
2. Chest CT scan: The doctor performs a chest CT scan to get more details about the lung condition. It helps to rule out pulmonary edema.
3. Pulse oximetry: This is a sensor attached to a finger or ear, which uses light to find how much oxygen is present in your blood.
4. Arterial blood gas test: This test is used to measure the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
5. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) blood test: If the BNP level is high in the blood, it indicates a heart condition.
6. Other blood tests: Some other blood tests that are used to diagnose pulmonary edema and its causes are – complete blood count, metabolic panel to check kidney function and thyroid function test.
7. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): It is a painless test that detects and records the timing and strength of the heart’s signals. It uses small sensors that are attached to the chest and sometimes to the arms and legs, which are then attached to the machine, which displays results or prints results. It can show the signs of heart wall thickening due to a previous heart attack. A portable device called a Holter monitor may be used to continuously monitor the heartbeat at home.
8. Echocardiogram: This test uses sound waves to create pictures of the beating heart. It can identify areas of poor blood flow, heart valve issues, and heart muscle that is not working properly. This is used to diagnose fluid around the heart (pericardial effusion).
9. Cardiac catheterization and coronary angiogram: This test is used if other tests are not able to find the cause of pulmonary edema or chest pain. It helps doctors to see blockages in the heart arteries. To perform this, doctors use a long, flexible tube inside a blood vessel, usually in the groin or wrist, which is guided to the heart. Then, a dye passes through the catheter to arteries in the heart. The dye is clearly visible on X-ray images and video.
10. Ultrasound of the lungs: This test uses sound waves to measure blood flow through the lungs which reveal signs of fluid buildup and plural effusions.

When to go to the ER?
Pulmonary edema often comes suddenly and can be life-threatening. You should call 911 or emergency medical help if you have any of the following symptoms:
• Shortness of breath, especially if it happens suddenly.
• Difficulty breathing with a feeling of suffocation (dyspnea).
• A bubbly, wheezing, or gasping sound when breathing.
• Coughing up phlegm that looks pink or has blood in it.
• Breathing is difficult with a lot of sweating.
• A blue or gray color to the skin.
• Confusion.
• Low blood pressure that causes lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness, or sweating.
• Sudden worsening of any pulmonary edema symptoms.

Outlook
The outlook for pulmonary edema depends on the severity and cause. If you have a moderate case, your condition may get better quickly or slowly depending on how fast you receive quick treatment, often leading to full recovery. However, in severe cases, delayed treatment can be fatal. Make sure you see your doctor regularly and get immediate help if you experience any pulmonary edema symptoms.

Pulmonary edema is a life-threatening condition that requires treatment right away when you should start having its symptoms. The outlook for pulmonary edema depends on the cause of pulmonary edema, its severity, and how quickly you receive treatment. The earlier you receive the treatment, the higher your recovery chances get. So, make sure you stay in contact with the doctor, and get immediate help if you have pulmonary edema symptoms.

If you are experiencing pulmonary edema symptoms, call us to get immediate medical help. Our pulmonary clinic in Brooklyn has lung specialists who diagnose and treat your condition quickly to ensure faster recovery chances!!!!!
At Doral Health and Wellness Pulmonary Center, we offer the best possible expertise and care in all aspects of pulmonology. Visit our pulmonologists to have your signs and symptoms checked. To schedule an appointment, you can visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212, or call us at 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at https://pulmonologistbrooklyn.com.