By New York Cardiac Diagnostic Center

01/15/2021 Not being able to catch your breath is a harrowing experience. Even if the feeling passes, being short of breath leaves you fearful of your life. And while trouble breathing and shortness of breath often are related to lung problems — or just being really out of shape, the issue is frequently related to your heart health. Don’t take these symptoms lightly! Whenever you experience new symptoms, especially when they come out of the blue, seek medical attention as soon as you can. When you visit the Manhattan Cardiology Diagnostic Center, you’re thoroughly evaluated for any cardiac-related conditions, and you can receive expert treatment from the best rated New York cardiologist specialist Dr. Reisman.


Not being able to get enough air while taking a breath is a very disturbing feeling. It can make you feel like you’re suffocating. The medical term for shortness of breath is dyspnea, and it’s a symptom that you must not ignore because it may be a sign of serious cardiac or pulmonary problems. Untreated, these conditions can worsen quickly and become life-threatening.


When you come to the Manhattan cardiology with difficulty breathing, you’re in the hands of the best cardiology team in the New York area. Your shortness of breath doctor evaluates you for any possible cardiac causes for your shortness of breath. If your dyspnea isn’t caused by cardiac problems, further evaluation needs to be done, possibly for pulmonary conditions.


Symptoms of Dyspnea
Dyspnea is characterized by being unable to catch your breath. Sensations commonly associated with this condition include:

• Tightness in your chest
• Labored breathing
• Rapid, shallow breathing
• Wheezing
• Heart palpitations

Difficulty breathing may hit you suddenly and without warning. Dyspnea can also become a long-term problem. If you experience trouble breathing on a regular basis, pay attention to when it happens, how often it happens and whether there are any triggers that cause your episodes of dyspnea. This history helps your doctor arrive at a firm diagnosis, especially when coupled with a thorough physical exam. If your breathing symptoms are sudden and severe, call 9-1-1, as you may need urgent medical attention.


Causes of Having Trouble Breathing
Difficulty breathing can have both cardiac and non-cardiac causes. Some heart-related causes of dyspnea include:

• Heart failure
• Valvular heart disease
• Coronary artery disease
• Pericardial disease
• Arrhythmias

Non-cardiac causes of shortness of breath include:

• Pulmonary disease, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pulmonary infections
• Allergies
• Sinusitis
• Airway obstruction
• Panic attacks
• Obesity
• Asthma