What Causes Breathing Difficulty While Recovering From A Stroke?

Posted on Wed, 18 Mar 2015

Question: MY FATHER HAD A STROKE ON 9TH DEC 2014 ALTHOUGH HE IS GETTING BETTER AND IS NOW MOVING HIS LEFT ARM AND LEG WHICH WERE AFFECTED HE IS HAVING BREATHING DIFFICULTIES WHICH IS HINDERING HIS RECOVERY.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Lung infection, bronchitis or heart failure can be the cause.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
I have gone through the details you have provided.
Generally breathing difficulties will take place at this juncture as the patients are always on bed and the cough mechanism also gets suppressed so there are chances there might be a bit of lung infection due to collected secretions.
In my opinion following are the possible causes for his breathing difficulty.
1. Issues with lung (bronchitis, infection or embolism)
2. Heart failure

So better to get done
1. 2D echo to rule out heart failure and other cardiac causes.
2. PFT ( pulmonary function test ) to rule out bronchitis.
3. Chest x ray to rule out lung infection.
4. If all of the above investigations are normal, then CT pulmonary angiography should be done to rule out PE.
Hope I have solved your query.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wishing good health to your father.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta