The feeling of not getting enough air into the lungs or gasping for air with/without chest tightness is medically termed dyspnea, commonly known as shortness of breath. Extreme strenuous exercise, extreme temperatures, anxiety, congested rooms, high-altitude destinations, obesity, or other health concerns can lead to dyspnea.
Heart and lung problems are the two most common reasons for shortness of breath. This blog shares insights into if shortness of breath can be a sign of heart disease. You might consult the best cardiologist in Siliguri city for optimum diagnosis and treatment.
There are different kinds of heart disease, such as coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy, heart failure. Shortness of breath is a common sign for all these categories.
CAD
CAD or coronary artery disease is the damage or disease in the heart’s major blood vessels due to plaque accumulation, leading to temporary chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, heart palpitation, etc.
When blood vessels in the heart cause reduced blood flow, shortness of breath and chest pain/angina are common. This medical condition (CAD) is the most common among heart diseases.
Arrthymia
An irregular heartbeat is medically termed arrhythmia, causing too fast or too slow a heartbeat. A cardiac arrhythmia occurs when electrical impulses in the heart don’t function effectively, leading to shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, anxiety, sweating, dizziness, etc.
Atrial fibrillation is a type of cardiac arrhythmia that results from chaotic electrical impulses in the upper chambers of the heart that disturbs normal breathing patterns.
Heart valve disease
If one of your heart valves or more than one heart valve doesn’t work effectively, it causes the blood supply through your heart to your body to be interrupted. Heart murmur, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, etc. are common signs here.
With heart valve issues worsening, it causes your heart beats harder to keep up with the oxygen-rich blood supply, hence, shortness of breath is common.
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is heart muscle disease, which can be hereditary or acquired, causing breathlessness while doing activities or taking rest, trouble lying flat to sleep, abdominal swelling, pounding heartbeat, chest pressure, frequent bloating, dizziness, coughing with lying down.
If you have this medical condition, it will cause trouble breathing due to the heart cannot pump blood efficiently to the rest of your body.
Heart Failure
Also known as congestive heart failure, it’s a chronic condition marked by your heart doesn’t pump blood as well as it should. It can lead to shortness of breath with lying down or activity, irregular heartbeat, wheezing, weakness, tiredness, cough that persists, lack of appetite, chest pain, abdominal swelling, reduced alertness, etc.
The fluid accumulation disturbs the heart muscle to pump blood properly, responsible for breathing difficulties. You might talk to the top cardiologist in Siliguri for shortness of breath and chest discomfort.
Plaque buildups are typically cholesterol-rich fatty deposits that interfere with the effective functioning of the heart’s major blood vessel, muscle, and rhythm. Medical attention is required if you notice any such signs or symptoms. Early diagnosis and care can prevent complications in a promising way.