SHORTNESS OF BREATH

Shortness of breath, or breathlessness, is a common problem.  It can occur due to a lack of physical fitness, but there are a number of important causes so requires investigation.

What Causes Shortness Of Breath?

Breathlessness can arise from problems with the heart or with the lungs making it important to investigate to work out the optimum treatment. 

The cardiac causes include heart failure, valvular disease (leakiness or narrowing), rhythm problems with the heart such as atrial fibrillation or narrowing of the arteries (coronary artery disease).

The respiratory (lung) causes include emphysema/obstructive lung disease (commonly caused by smoking), asthma, infections, thromboembolism (clots on the lung) or fibrotic lung diseases of the lung.

What Investigations are Recommended for Shortness Of Breath?

In most cases, the doctor may request you go for an ECG (electrocardiogram) and an echocardiogram (ultrasound).  If there is concern over whether coronary artery disease is a potential cause then a CT coronary angiogram may be recommended.

A cardiopulmonary exercise test is often used to document a patient’s exercise capacity and help decide whether the breathlessness is due to the heart or lungs.

If there is suggestion of breathlessness being due a lung problem you will need other tests which will include a chest X-ray and spirometry (breathing test). You may need other tests following this depending on the results including a CT scan of the chest.

What Are The Available Treatments?

The treatment you receive for your shortness of breath will be dependent on its cause.

If you smoke, you will be advised to stop.  In many cases exercise/rehabilitation is also beneficial.

If the breathlessness is due to heart failure, you will need treatment with medications to improve heart function (ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers) and diuretics (furosemide) which encourage the kidneys to remove fluid.

If the breathlessness is due to coronary disease, you will need treatment with a statin and aspirin together with anginal drugs (often beta-blockers).  Procedures such as angioplasty may also be helpful.

If the breathlessness is due to a valvular problem you may need an operation to repair or replace the valve.

If the breathlessness is due to atrial fibrillation, you may need more medications to prevent the heart going fast, or medications or procedures to keep the heart in a normal rhythm.

Schedule an appointment

Breathlessness has a number of causes and requires careful investigation.  Our cardiologists are available for consultation on any day of the week and weekends as well.