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What Causes Shortness Of Breath While Walking?
Question: I am short of breath when walking or going up hills. I am 77 but other wise very fit. What should I do.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern and would explain that it is necessary performing a careful differential diagnosis between different disorders that may cause this symptomatology:
- chronic anemia
- cardiac failure: a low cardiac function could be the cause of shortness of breath during physical activity
-a chronic lung disease, could be related to a low gas exchange and difficulty breathing during physical activity
-lack of physical activity. Persons who are not physically active can have this symptomatology during physical activity, because the inappropriate reaction of their body.
-obesity. Obese persons or persons who have gained weight can have this feeling during physical activity.
What is your body weight? Do you perform regularly physical activity?
Do you suffer from diabetes?
You should know that in diabetic persons, shortness of breath during physical activity could be a sign of coronary artery disease.
I recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical examination and some tests:
-resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound (to examine your cardiac function)
-chest X ray study (to examine your lungs)
-blood lab tests (complete blood count, kidney and liver function tests, blood electrolytes, fasting glucose)
Respiratory function tests may be needed if suspicions of a chronic lung disease are raised.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern and would explain that it is necessary performing a careful differential diagnosis between different disorders that may cause this symptomatology:
- chronic anemia
- cardiac failure: a low cardiac function could be the cause of shortness of breath during physical activity
-a chronic lung disease, could be related to a low gas exchange and difficulty breathing during physical activity
-lack of physical activity. Persons who are not physically active can have this symptomatology during physical activity, because the inappropriate reaction of their body.
-obesity. Obese persons or persons who have gained weight can have this feeling during physical activity.
What is your body weight? Do you perform regularly physical activity?
Do you suffer from diabetes?
You should know that in diabetic persons, shortness of breath during physical activity could be a sign of coronary artery disease.
I recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical examination and some tests:
-resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound (to examine your cardiac function)
-chest X ray study (to examine your lungs)
-blood lab tests (complete blood count, kidney and liver function tests, blood electrolytes, fasting glucose)
Respiratory function tests may be needed if suspicions of a chronic lung disease are raised.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions whenever you need!
Greetings!
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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