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Is Shortness Of Breath During Physical Activity Associated With GERD?
Question: I am a 40 year old male with no health problem in the past apart from mild asthma and oesophagitis. 3 years ago i performed a cardiac check with an electrocardiogram and echocardiograph which was fine. Six months ago I went to the cardiologist who perform only and electrocardiograph and said that I am fine. The last couple of weeks I have been drinking alcohol and not having a good diet and have felt my stomach and oesophagus pretty irridated. What worried me is that the last week I observe that I have shortness of breath and i pant very easilY, I pant going up a couple of steps upstairs. Do you think this is something serious or it is GERD? Do you think I should do something immediately or fix my diet and wait to see if symptoms improve?
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your symptoms (shortness of breath during physical activity) are not typical of esophagitis or GERD.
For this reason, I would recommend consulting with your doctor and performing some tests to investigate for other possible causes underlying your complaints:
- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound to examine your heart function and structure and exclude heart failure
- NT pro-BNP levels for heart failure
- a chest X ray study and pulmonary function tests to exclude a lung disorder (especially considering the fact that you suffered from asthma)
- complete blood count for anemia
- blood electrolytes for possible
- kidney and liver function tests
- fasting glucose for diabetes.
Meanwhile, I recommend taking a PPI (omeprazole, pantoprazole, etc.) regularly and avoid spicy food in order to help improve your heartburn.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
I remain at your disposal whenever you have any other questions!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I passed carefully through your question and would explain that your symptoms (shortness of breath during physical activity) are not typical of esophagitis or GERD.
For this reason, I would recommend consulting with your doctor and performing some tests to investigate for other possible causes underlying your complaints:
- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound to examine your heart function and structure and exclude heart failure
- NT pro-BNP levels for heart failure
- a chest X ray study and pulmonary function tests to exclude a lung disorder (especially considering the fact that you suffered from asthma)
- complete blood count for anemia
- blood electrolytes for possible
- kidney and liver function tests
- fasting glucose for diabetes.
Meanwhile, I recommend taking a PPI (omeprazole, pantoprazole, etc.) regularly and avoid spicy food in order to help improve your heartburn.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
I remain at your disposal whenever you have any other questions!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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