The feeling of being unable to breathe properly is a frightening experience that could be due to many causes, including heart problems. If you're struggling with shortness of breath, board-certified specialist Ramzan Zakir, MD, of Cardiac & Vascular Interventions of New Jersey, can help. At his practice in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Dr. Zakir uses advanced diagnostics to find out the cause of your shortness of breath. To arrange a consultation, call Cardiac & Vascular Interventions of New Jersey or use the online booking form today.
Shortness of breath is the feeling of being unable to draw all the air you need into your lungs. The medical name for shortness of breath is dyspnea.
When you have shortness of breath, you likely feel panicky, which just makes your breathing even more difficult. It can also feel like your chest is tightening or you're suffocating.
It's natural to get out of breath when you've been exercising hard or you're in challenging conditions such as a high altitude or hot climate. Furthermore, being overweight or obese or a regular smoker can make you feel short of breath more quickly.
One possible cause of shortness of breath is asthma, which makes it hard to draw breath during an attack. Shortness of breath is also a symptom of lung disorders and infections such as bronchitis, emphysema, and pneumonia.
Shortness of breath can sometimes be a result of heart problems, so it’s important to find out why you’re having issues with your breathing.
Shortness of breath may be due to a medical emergency like a heart attack or a developing heart condition such as:
To provide you with the treatment you require, Dr. Zakir needs to diagnose the cause of your shortness of breath.
Dr. Zakir can diagnose shortness of breath using a variety of tests, including:
An EKG is a noninvasive test for recording the electrical activity in your heart.
An echocardiogram is a heart ultrasound that creates images of your heart and its internal structures.
Using an EKG machine to record your heart's electrical signals while you exercise on a treadmill can reveal problems that aren't apparent when you’re at rest.
Nuclear stress testing uses radioactive dye to illustrate areas of your heart clearly while you’re exercising and at rest.
The treatment you require for shortness of breath due to a heart condition is dependent on what's causing it. You might need to take medication, make lifestyle changes, or undergo a minimally invasive procedure like balloon angioplasty.
If you're experiencing shortness of breath, it's important to find out why so you can avoid the problem becoming a medical emergency.
Get prompt diagnosis and treatment for your shortness of breath by calling Cardiac & Vascular Interventions of New Jersey today or booking an appointment online.