Shortness of Breath

Vascular Cardiology located in Yonkers, Brewster, Bronx and Washington Heights, NY

Suddenly feeling unable to catch your breath is a frightening experience, and it’s often the sign of an underlying condition that needs medical attention. At Jain Cardiovascular in Brewster and Yonkers, New York, the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, and the Bedford Park neighborhood in the Bronx, Sachin Kumar Amruthlal Jain, MD, FACC, RPVI, and the team have extensive experience determining the cause of your shortness of breath and developing an individualized treatment plan that gets to the source of the problem. Don’t hesitate to call the nearest office or request an appointment online today.

Shortness of Breath Q & A

What causes shortness of breath?

Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, can occur during strenuous exercise, due to extreme temperatures, or at a high altitude. In most cases, however, shortness of breath is caused by an underlying medical problem.

Though shortness of breath can arise from a long list of possible health conditions, it’s most often associated with heart and lung conditions such as:

Heart attack
Heart failure
Coronary artery disease
Cardiomyopathy
Endocarditis
Arrhythmia
Pulmonary hypertension
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Pulmonary embolism
Pleural effusion
Pneumonia
Asthma

Shortness of breath is a common symptom in nearly every type of heart condition. Beyond problems with your cardiovascular and respiratory systems, difficulty breathing may also appear if you have cancer, severe anxiety, a panic attack, or some neuromuscular conditions.

What symptoms might I have along with shortness of breath?

Shortness of breath sounds like a straightforward symptom, but you may experience different sensations, as well as other symptoms. You may feel like you just can’t catch your breath. Or you may be able to take in air but feel unable to take a deep breath or breathe in enough air.

Depending on the cause of your difficulty breathing, you may also experience:

Chest pain, pressure, or tightness
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Cough
Chills
Fever
Wheezing
Feeling of suffocation

Difficulty breathing is usually a symptom that needs medical attention, especially if it comes on suddenly and is accompanied by other problems such as wheezing or chest pain.

How is shortness of breath treated?

Dr. Jain performs a complete physical exam and runs any diagnostic tests needed to diagnose the underlying cause of your shortness of breath.

Jain Cardiovascular has a diagnostic imaging center where you can get a wide range of cardiovascular testing, including electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, and duplex ultrasound, in the comfort of the office, where your provider has quick access to the results.

If you have a heart condition, your customized treatment may include lifestyle changes, medications, and minimally invasive procedures to repair the problem. Otherwise, your treatment is based on the cause of your symptoms.

If you develop shortness of breath, don’t hesitate to call Jain Cardiovascular or request an appointment online today.