What Causes Frequent Shortness Of Breath?

Posted on Thu, 12 Mar 2015

Question: Since Nov 2014 I suffer from shortness of breath and I am okay if I stay still or sleep. Several tests were done, but no answer yet. They checked my lungs, blood, breathing, etc. But I am still not better.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
get done 24 hour cardiac monitoring.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear, thanks for your question on HCM.
I can understand your situation and problem.
At your age (72years), we need to rule out cardiac and pulmonary causes for your shortness of breath on exertion.
Since your all routine investigations are normal, doctors are thinking of uncommon causes like arrhythmias and pulmonary embolism.
So 24 hour ECG recording (Holter monitoring) is needed to rule out arrhythmia.
CT thorax with contrast is needed to rule out pulmonary embolism.
So get done tests suggested by your doctor.
Please let me know which tests are done in your case, so that I can guide you further to rule out other causes for shortness of breath on exertion.
I will guide you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj