I have not been diagnosed with COPD, but I strongly suspect that I have it. I am not a smoker but have been exposed to a lot of smoke in my life. From reading the information, I seem to be at Stage II. I cough a lot and over the past month cough up phlegm that has tinges of blood. My question is, does anyone else experience a pounding heart, especially at night? I go to bed and I can hear my heart beat. This seems to be progressing fast. It all makes me sad. I'm 65 and have four grandchildren that I'd hoped see grow up but now I wonder if I'll be around much longer. My heart cannot take this constant strain.