Tightness of chest can be one of many causes, like Hyperinflated Lungs, which is my biggest pain issue, Chest Infection....etc....Here is a Link re-Heart as well....Scroll down the site as there is lots of good info.

https://www.verywell.com/why-does-copd-cause-ch...

Bathing/Showering is one of the things we took for granted and now has become a nitemare....Best is too make sure your room is warm if winter, Set out your change clothes on bed....Use your Oxygen if applicable...and have a seat either in Shower Area and one out where you can sit and dry off....I use a normal bathrobe rather than towel dry....Rest on bed till you catch your breath and finish drying or get dressed...

I find taking a bath, as it is easy to soak n clean than stretch n bend in shower, if you have diaphragm rubbing lung issues plus the steam can cause too much humidity...

This is exactly the reason that most good pulmonologists have a cardio guy they pair with; it's hard to tell whether the problem is with the heart or with the lungs, especially if there are known heart issues. If you have both, make sure that the two at least talk with each other and be sure that each gets everything the other guy has in terms of test results, etc. Part of your job is to be sure that you manage you own care adequately so you get the best treatment possible.

I was told to have the shower water just luke warm and it really works. Breathing is so much better now .

@A MyCOPDTeam Member , I'm so sorry to hear about your symptoms and how they're affecting you . Has your doc done that test where you have to breathe in this tube as fast and as long as you can ? I think its a Spiro something ? That's a good indicator of where you're at with COPD . Also , have you taken the test where you put a pulse-ox thing on your finger all nite ? That's how I got my oxygen . You May need to shop for another Pulm Doc if he or she hasn't . Hope this helps . Breathe easy my dear and I'll be praying for you . I hope you feel better soon .

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A MyCOPDT...

I have severe emphysema/copd and went back on inhalers 3 months ago. Over the past two months I had the worse pain right in the middle of my chest under my neck... like where the top center of my lungs are. It felt like Edward Scissorshands had his nails inside my chest and was stabbing me! Passed in a few minutes and used heating pad and it was fine. Doctor's on call wanted me to go to emergency room of course, but I know how to keep my blood pressure from increasing as I also have Afib. Haven't been able to breath any better. Had the same reaction to Albuterol. Too many chemicals in inhalers. Too many side effects. Finding homeopathic treatment and going to use "nature's" bronchodilator. Threw the inhalers in the garbage. Second day now and I'm feeling better than I have in a year!

I also have problems breathing with heavy humidity in shower. Thanks for the suggestions!