“Why am I out of breath when I'm climbing up stairs?”
I am a 33 year old woman and I am suffering from severe breathlessness, especially while I'm climbing up stairs. What could be the reason?
7 Answers
It could be de-conditioning from lack of regular exercise. It could also be due to over weight. You could also have bronchitis or allergies that can cause breathlessness. However if you are a smoker, Diabetic or have strong family history of heart disease you should get checked out.
Pulmonary issues or cardiac issues, despite your age. You need an exam, then perhaps pulmonary function tests and an echocardiogram.
Les
Les
In general, exertional dyspnea is the result of cardiac disease or pulmonary disease. The possibilities are legion here varying from aerobic deconditioning, exertional asthma, pulmonary artery hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis, congenital Aortic or mitral valve disease, cardiomyopathy, renal artery stenosis, coronary artery disease. It’s impossible to choose between these few conditions based on walking up the stairs as the only piece of firm history. One thing is certain the possible explanations include treatable conditions, with the potential to shorten your lifespan. Therefore I’d visit with my private MD, if you have none, then I’d select a competent cardiologist or pulmonologist in your home town & visit for consultation.
Hi, many possibilities. Have you been pregnant recently? Do you sleep well at night (obstructive sleep apnea), body weight, asthma/allergies, anxiety? Assuming all of the above have been addressed, then we look at cardiac causes. Any family history of premature heart disease or weak heart? From a cardiology standpoint, would get a good history and physical exam as well as a 12-lead ekg, then an echocardiogram of the heart to look at heart function, valves, or fluid around the heart. Also, would consider pulmonary function tests, with all the above. A diagnosis should be obtained.
Julia G. Ansari
Cardiologist
It could be cardiac, or pulmonary. I would suggest starting with an echo to find out if heart function is normal and if all the valves are normal as well. Obesity and lack of activity also can cause shortness of breath with minimal exertion, but I think starting with an echo would be a good place to start.
Check blood pressure
Lung condition
Smoking habits
X-ray chest
Ekg echocardiogram
Lung condition
Smoking habits
X-ray chest
Ekg echocardiogram
Chest X-ray, EKG, physical examination, vital signs with bold pressure-heart rate before stress test, echocardiogram, labs including CBC, complete metabolic profile- thyroid functions are a good initial work up.
