All that wheezes is not Asthma.

1. Wheezing from heart diseases may mimick Asthma. Mitral Valve Stenosis or Insufficiency, Congestive Heart Failure from any cause can cause wheezing and shortness of breath. Echocardiogram (ultrasound of heart) can help determine if the wheezing is from cardiac causes.

2. A rare disease called Paradoxic Vocal Cord Dysfunction can cause severe shortness of breath and wheezing. In this disease, vocal cords close partially when person is anxious and under stress. This can cause wheezing and shortness of breath. Diagnosis requires high degree of suspicion. Pulmonary Function Tests are usually normal. During these attacks, oxygen saturation stays normal in most cases. The wheezing is more prominent over the voice box as opposed to over the ribs and the periphery.