Have developed choking/breathing/claustrophia issue last 2-3 yrs. Any connection to my bypass surgery in '97? Choking - breathing - claustrophobia issue usually appears as a sort of "anxiety attack".  Never had any problems of this kind before my surgery.  Now I have an attack while inside an MRI machine, and had to be pulled out by the technician.  Also had an "attack" lasting about 10-15 minutes on a recent plane trip - had trouble catching my breath.  Can't help thinking this is all somehow the result of having a creathing tube down my throat for 24-48 hours immediately after my quad bypass surgery in '97.  My cardiologist doesn't seem to think there's any connection - I think there is.  Would appreciate some objective input - thanks.

Summarized question: Is there any connection between having choking/breathing/claustrophobia issues after bypass surgery?