What is shortness of breath?
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.
What causes shortness of breath?
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.
What heart problems can cause shortness of breath?
Shortness of breath may be due to a medical emergency like a heart attack or a developing heart condition such as:
- Arrhythmia
- Heart failure
- Cardiomyopathy
- Pericarditis
To provide you with the treatment you require, Dr. Zakir needs to diagnose the cause of your shortness of breath.
How is shortness of breath diagnosed?
Dr. Zakir can diagnose shortness of breath using a variety of tests, including:
Electrocardiogram (EKG)
An EKG is a noninvasive test for recording the electrical activity in your heart.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram is a heart ultrasound that creates images of your heart and its internal structures.
Stress testing
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
Nuclear stress testing uses radioactive dye to illustrate areas of your heart clearly while you’re exercising and at rest.
How is shortness of breath treated?
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.
