Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Platypnea Without Orthodeoxia?
Question: What could cause platypnea without orthodeoxia? I have been having shortness of breath for a while. It comes and goes. Some days are worse than others. I have seen a pulmonologist and cardiology. They only things they have found it a low DLCO and a flat blood pressure response. When I feel short of breath I have to take in deep breaths. It is like my lungs need extra effort to expand. When I lay flat it helps relieve the symptoms
Brief Answer:
Atrial and ventricular septal defect can cause such symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Platypnea is breathlessness on standing, uptight position which is relieved by lying down, supine position.
This is characteristic feature of atrial or ventricular septal defect. It is not seen with smaller defects. It is seen only with larger defects.
So better to get done 2d echo for this.
If 2d echo is normal then no need to worry much.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Atrial and ventricular septal defect can cause such symptoms.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Platypnea is breathlessness on standing, uptight position which is relieved by lying down, supine position.
This is characteristic feature of atrial or ventricular septal defect. It is not seen with smaller defects. It is seen only with larger defects.
So better to get done 2d echo for this.
If 2d echo is normal then no need to worry much.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Clearly it is nothing critical because it has been going on for sometime, so I am not "worrying much." However, it greatly effects my daily life. Some days it is worse than others, and if I lay flat for a little the shortness of breath improves. If I bend, push, pull it effects my breathing as well. It seems as though pressure in my torso effects me and so does gravity. I am trying to figure out the pathophysiology of it so I can try to understand why this is happening.
Brief Answer:
If 2D Echo is normal then no need to worry.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
If 2D echo is normal then no need to worry for this.
Honestly speaking, there is no pathophysiology that I find in your case.
With all reports in normal ranges, possibility of some sort of of phobia or panic or stressful event is more.
So please let me know if you are having any stressful life.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
If 2D Echo is normal then no need to worry.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your follow up question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
If 2D echo is normal then no need to worry for this.
Honestly speaking, there is no pathophysiology that I find in your case.
With all reports in normal ranges, possibility of some sort of of phobia or panic or stressful event is more.
So please let me know if you are having any stressful life.
I will be happy to help you further.
Wish you good health.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
