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What Causes Shortness Of Breath Along With Rapid Heart Beats?
Question: I'm 67 yrs old. Yesterday i went on a steep mountain walk and climb. After an hour or so i felt a touch of shortness of breath, started to sweat heavily, and had a rapid heartbeat. This lasted for about 15 or 20 minutes,
Then i walked down and felt fine. I just had my physical a few days ago with no abberant numbers.
Then i walked down and felt fine. I just had my physical a few days ago with no abberant numbers.
Brief Answer:
Extreme physical exertion
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Due to physical exertion (steep mountain walk, climbing), you had shortness of breath and heavy sweating with increased heart rate.
It is very important at this age to pace yourself and not exert more than necessary.
At heights, the oxygen level will reduce and more work needs to be done by the lungs and the heart to transfer the same oxygen to tissues.
People living at high places, usually have higher hemoglobin than normal (physiological polycythemia), which help them in improving oxygen transfer.
Even though your hemoglobin was within normal limit, the low oxygen along with physical exertion manifested in extreme sympathetic activity which resulted in these symptoms. Once your rested and got adjusted, they disappeared.
I strongly advise you to avoid excessive exertion at heights or at exercises you are not used to. Risk of fall or possible coronary events, needs to be thought of. Hydration is also important. Take plenty of fluids.
Not to worry now. You need to improve your hemoglobin more than normal to breathe easily on mountains. Improve your diet with Vit B12, iron and folic acid.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
Extreme physical exertion
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for asking.
I am Dr. Prakash HM and I will be answering your query.
Due to physical exertion (steep mountain walk, climbing), you had shortness of breath and heavy sweating with increased heart rate.
It is very important at this age to pace yourself and not exert more than necessary.
At heights, the oxygen level will reduce and more work needs to be done by the lungs and the heart to transfer the same oxygen to tissues.
People living at high places, usually have higher hemoglobin than normal (physiological polycythemia), which help them in improving oxygen transfer.
Even though your hemoglobin was within normal limit, the low oxygen along with physical exertion manifested in extreme sympathetic activity which resulted in these symptoms. Once your rested and got adjusted, they disappeared.
I strongly advise you to avoid excessive exertion at heights or at exercises you are not used to. Risk of fall or possible coronary events, needs to be thought of. Hydration is also important. Take plenty of fluids.
Not to worry now. You need to improve your hemoglobin more than normal to breathe easily on mountains. Improve your diet with Vit B12, iron and folic acid.
Hope it helps.
Any further queries, happy to help again.
Dr. Prakash HM
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answered by
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