Advice as far from help - husband had odd episode chest pain now resolved

I would say he definitely needs to go to a hospital as soon as possible. Without sounding alarmist, these symptoms could be a number of things, but it could be serious. I would ignore his protestations and phone for an ambulance.

I am not a doctor but it sounds as if it could be angina. Angina can be managed with medication. He should see a doctor soon, before it becomes an emergency.

I would insist he sees a doctor. It may be nothing serious but you won't know till he has a check up. Ask him to do it for you as you will just be worried all the time.

I’ve just seen your post so hopefully you’ve already got help but if not then drive him to the nearest hospital or ring the number 15 from a landline or 112 from a mobile. Then you can speak to an emergency team who will almost definitely speak some English and they will advise you and possibly come out to you.

Margi a very similar situation or episode happened more than once to a good friend, he was a runner and was still jogging in his 70s. He described almost exactly feeling as set out in your post above (felt breathless and dizzy), and said he had to rest against a lamppost. He saw a doctor and now has a pacemaker. He is fine! Your OH needs to be checked out, no question about it.

I would take him to urgences.

He should see a doctor, but getting a man to do so when he doesn't see the need is well-nigh impossible.

If you are holidaying in France, make him promise you he will go to his doctor when you get home.

If you live in France, I would suggest you find someone who speaks good English - a school-teacher teaching English, perhaps, and get her or him to write down exactly what you have described here of symptoms and when they occured, that your husband suffers from astma, and that he has pooh-poohed the very thought of going to a doctor.

Get this person to write down exactly what you need to say if you phone either for an ambulance or an emergency doctor, and to coach you in pronouncing it correctly.

And if you are living in France, please do find someone who can teach you more French, so you can deal with this sort of thing confidently yourself, as far as explaining what is wrong and understanding what you are being asked or told.

Most of the Smur emergency doctors will speak some English and for emergencies google translate can help

angina. Don`t panic about this but avoid strenuous exercise such as walking up hills and to drink plenty of water to thin the blood. Do get him to a doctor

Thank you every one. We went to the local town and all seems to be well, although he has to see his own GP once we get back to the UK in a few days time.

Agree, sounds like angina.

It does sound like angina , but could also be a heart attack. My mum has recently had two small heart attacks, with the same symptoms you describe. He needs a blood test and monitoring to find out what’s going on. In the meantime have you got any soluble aspirin that’s what the ambulance men gave mum think it was 300 ml. Hope he’s okay.

Sorry didn’t see your update.