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What Causes Shortness Of Breath And Leg Weakness?
Question: I have shortness of breath for about five years and it is getting worse I can not even do normal housework
and when I walk I get so out of breath and my legs feel so weak I feel like I am going to collapse. I have a cardiologist and a pulmonary doctor and both can not find the cause. Also my blood pressure is going to very high about 165 over 116 for a couple of days than it might drop to normal and than go back up.
What could be causing the breathing and weakness in my legs? This has really hampered the quality pf my lie as I am only 62 and to young to be so limited at work and socially.
and when I walk I get so out of breath and my legs feel so weak I feel like I am going to collapse. I have a cardiologist and a pulmonary doctor and both can not find the cause. Also my blood pressure is going to very high about 165 over 116 for a couple of days than it might drop to normal and than go back up.
What could be causing the breathing and weakness in my legs? This has really hampered the quality pf my lie as I am only 62 and to young to be so limited at work and socially.
Brief Answer:
Asthma exacerbations likely.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern. Wit normal cardiac workup and history of asthma, this shortness of breath is likely attributed to COPDs ( Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases) . Hypertension may cause this indirectly by pulmonary edema and also by increasing workload on heart that may cause dyspnea.
You need to keep an eye on your blood pressure, modify diet and lifestyle for that. A complete pulmonary functions assessment and stress exercise testing is advised. Long acting bronchodilators and oxygen supplementation is advised. Allergy shots ( immunotherapy) and bronchial thermoplasty is all you need.
Maintain a healthy weight and manage acid refux if any as that can lead to such shortness of breath episodes. Avoid allergens, and with this changing weather, reducing pollen exposure and use of air conditioner is advised. keep a diary and note the triggers and avoid them.
Nutshell all your symptoms are explained by exacerbation of asthma. Doses need to be adjusted for that with lifestyle modifications and precautionary measures for relief.
i hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Khan
Asthma exacerbations likely.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and i understand your concern. Wit normal cardiac workup and history of asthma, this shortness of breath is likely attributed to COPDs ( Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases) . Hypertension may cause this indirectly by pulmonary edema and also by increasing workload on heart that may cause dyspnea.
You need to keep an eye on your blood pressure, modify diet and lifestyle for that. A complete pulmonary functions assessment and stress exercise testing is advised. Long acting bronchodilators and oxygen supplementation is advised. Allergy shots ( immunotherapy) and bronchial thermoplasty is all you need.
Maintain a healthy weight and manage acid refux if any as that can lead to such shortness of breath episodes. Avoid allergens, and with this changing weather, reducing pollen exposure and use of air conditioner is advised. keep a diary and note the triggers and avoid them.
Nutshell all your symptoms are explained by exacerbation of asthma. Doses need to be adjusted for that with lifestyle modifications and precautionary measures for relief.
i hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and dont forget to close the discussion please.
Regards
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the response I have had pulmonary testing and stress tests done in the past year and all showed nothing abnormal my follow up question is why do my legs get so weak and I can no longer walk even short distance or go upstairs?
Brief Answer:
Needs repeated work up.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me
Weak legs, inability to walk short distance and going upstairs with out getting breathless means heart is not pumping properly. It is weak and not able to cope up with the stress. I wonder how come stress tests are normal. You mentioned those you had in past year. So it has been more than year. Many things can change in a year. I would like you to get cardiac studies like stress test, echo, ecg etc and lungs functions after that.
All your symptoms of dyspnea of exertion point towards a weak failing heart not being able to pump enough.
I hope it helps.
Regards
Khan
Needs repeated work up.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me
Weak legs, inability to walk short distance and going upstairs with out getting breathless means heart is not pumping properly. It is weak and not able to cope up with the stress. I wonder how come stress tests are normal. You mentioned those you had in past year. So it has been more than year. Many things can change in a year. I would like you to get cardiac studies like stress test, echo, ecg etc and lungs functions after that.
All your symptoms of dyspnea of exertion point towards a weak failing heart not being able to pump enough.
I hope it helps.
Regards
Khan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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