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What Causes Shortness Of Breath While Doing Tasks?
Hi I am a 22 year old Asian woman and I have noticed that I am becoming increasingly short of breath after doing small tasks such as walking around the house, showering, going up and down the stairs. I am also pretty sure that I have a murmur in my pulmonary area (it sounds systolic but I m not 100% sure. I am still just a medical student). I also get palpitations infrequently, but when I do it is usually when I am at rest not stressed or doing anything in particular. The most bothersome thing is the shortness of breath. it does get relieved when I sit and rest for a bit though. I have noticed it for a while and it is not very severe but it is definitely more noticeable now. I am just not sure what to make of all this. any help would be appreciated
Mon, 27 Oct 2014
Thanks for your question on HCM.
In my opinion you should investigate yourself to rule out pulmonary and cardiac cause.
In your case possibility of cardiac causes like valvular heart disease are more as you are having murmur too.
Pulmonary diseases like asthma and bronchitis can also cause such symptoms.
So I give you plan of action.
1. First consult cardiologist and get done ECG and 2D Echo to rule out valvular heart disease.
2. If this is normal than consult pulmonologist and get done chest x ray and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) to rule out asthma and bronchitis.
3. If all of the above are normal than it must be anxiety related.
In my opinion you should investigate yourself to rule out pulmonary and cardiac cause.
In your case possibility of cardiac causes like valvular heart disease are more as you are having murmur too.
Pulmonary diseases like asthma and bronchitis can also cause such symptoms.
So I give you plan of action.
1. First consult cardiologist and get done ECG and 2D Echo to rule out valvular heart disease.
2. If this is normal than consult pulmonologist and get done chest x ray and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) to rule out asthma and bronchitis.
3. If all of the above are normal than it must be anxiety related.
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