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What Causes Breathing Difficulty And Weakness In The Body?
Question: I'm a 36 year old male, 5-7, 167 (BMI 28 % last recorded 2 years ago) with elevated cholesterol (not sure if that helps) and recently began working out. While running around a 9 minute mile pace my 02 sat dips to 84% with a HR of 170 to 180. I'm not dizzy, no chest pain, not extremely lethargic and can only run 3/4th of a mile before I stop. Is this just poor physical conditioning that I can work on? I decided to schedule a stress test for next week. I want to work out more to get in better shape but after reading that a sat of 84% is bad for the body, I don't know what else to do to get in shape.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms could be related to a chronic lung disorder or just bronchial spasms.
Saturations of 84% are indicative of hypoxemia. You are right that this is dangerous for your body and especially for your brain cells who are more susceptible to blood hypoxemia. This could be related to different disorders like:
- chronic lung disorders
- chronic anemia
- sleep apnea, etc.
Your HR values are quite normal for physical activity (you have reached the theoretical maximal heart rate) and you have no symptoms (like chest pain, palpitations, dizziness), that are characteristic of coronary artery disease. That is why a cardiac disorder (including coronary artery disease) is not very likely to cause your symptoms.
Coming to this point, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and performing some tests:
- a chest X ray study and respiration function tests
- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound to examine your cardiac function and structure
- a cardiac stress tests (even though your symptoms are not typical of coronary artery disease), you are a little overweight and have dyslipidemia which are known cardiovascular risk factors.
- some blood lab tests (complete blood count for anemia, thyroid hormone levels, blood electrolytes, fasting glucose, kidney and liver function tests, PCR, sedimentation rate).
- a blood gas analysis
If suspicions of sleep apnea are raised, a polysomnogram may be needed.
Hope to have been helpful!
I am at your disposal for any other questions whenever you need.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms could be related to a chronic lung disorder or just bronchial spasms.
Saturations of 84% are indicative of hypoxemia. You are right that this is dangerous for your body and especially for your brain cells who are more susceptible to blood hypoxemia. This could be related to different disorders like:
- chronic lung disorders
- chronic anemia
- sleep apnea, etc.
Your HR values are quite normal for physical activity (you have reached the theoretical maximal heart rate) and you have no symptoms (like chest pain, palpitations, dizziness), that are characteristic of coronary artery disease. That is why a cardiac disorder (including coronary artery disease) is not very likely to cause your symptoms.
Coming to this point, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician and performing some tests:
- a chest X ray study and respiration function tests
- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound to examine your cardiac function and structure
- a cardiac stress tests (even though your symptoms are not typical of coronary artery disease), you are a little overweight and have dyslipidemia which are known cardiovascular risk factors.
- some blood lab tests (complete blood count for anemia, thyroid hormone levels, blood electrolytes, fasting glucose, kidney and liver function tests, PCR, sedimentation rate).
- a blood gas analysis
If suspicions of sleep apnea are raised, a polysomnogram may be needed.
Hope to have been helpful!
I am at your disposal for any other questions whenever you need.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the information. Listed on my medical exam from 2 years ago, under "pulmonary function" there is a comment on there that says "mild restriction". Sounds like you pointed me in the right directions. I do not have a Dr since I have no medical insurance. Would a pulmonary Dr be the best person to see for an exam then?
Brief Answer:
Ny answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
Restriction means that there may be presence of pulmonary fibrosis.
Coming to this point I would recommend consulting with a pulmonary doctor and performing a new pulmonary function test and a blood gas analysis, coupled with a chest x-ray study.
Hope to have been helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Ny answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
Restriction means that there may be presence of pulmonary fibrosis.
Coming to this point I would recommend consulting with a pulmonary doctor and performing a new pulmonary function test and a blood gas analysis, coupled with a chest x-ray study.
Hope to have been helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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