Medicine at a Glance: Core Cases

Buy the Book
Find out more

Respiratory disease

Case 1: A Patient with Sudden‐Onset Breathlessness

CASE

A 45‐year‐old man presents to your clinic. He describes sudden‐onset breathlessness waking him from sleep occurring on seven occasions during the last month. When woken he is frightened and unable to breathe. On two occasions he has dialled 999 for an ambulance but has not been admitted to hospital as the paramedics have found no abnormality on arrival at the house.

QUESTION

Your score this session: 0 of 0

The patient is a life‐long non‐smoker, has no significant past medical or family history and is on no regular medication. What is the most likely diagnosis?