breathless when walking and bending

[Deezy24]

I’m hoping someone can help me as over the past few months I am struggling walking without being breathless and have to keep stopping. Bending down leaves me breathless too. I can’t even walk my grandkids from the car into school without being so out of breath. I’ve had AF for about ten years but this seems to have crept upon me. Can anyone advise please? Thank you

[jeanjeannie50]

Hi Deezy, I felt that way when I had an underactive thyroid but thought it was all part of AF. Have you had a blood test to check your thyroid?

Jean

[CDreamer]

Hi Deezy - so many causes that I think you should see your GP asap and as Jean says - first thing get blood tests - not just for Thyroid although a likely suspect - full panel. If that shows nothing then it’s a matter of referral for tests and process of elimination.

Your GP will have your full medical history which may point them to possible reasons e:- how long you had AF may mean you need an echocardiogram which reveals how your heart is structurally, x-rays/scans for lung function or Flo Test to test lung capacity. Circulation generally - so many things

We don’t get breathless without reason, hope you find your reason and get some help soon. Best wishes

[Deezy24 in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks for replying to me x

[10gingercats]

This happened to me when i was found to have fluid around my heart and in my lungs.Cardio. prescribed Flurosimide and a tiny dose of Spironolactone. Worked a treat. Continued taking very small doses to keep fluid ,and breathlessness, at bay. Your GP can detect fluid with a stethoscope or may reccomend a chest x ray.

[Deezy24 in reply to 10gingercats]

Thank you for your reply. I will phone drs on Monday - something I guess I should have done a while ago x

[mjames1]

Shortness of breath (SOB) could be lungs, heart, medications, de-conditioning, some sort of deficiency or a combination. Nowadays Long Covid is always suspect. And don't forget GERD/reflux which doctors sometimes do.

I would start with my GP or cardiologist for a physical exam which would include a detailed history, listening to your heart and lungs, checking for outward signs of edema and ordering blood tests, which should include a CBC, thyroid panel, and iron store tests including Ferritin.

Further testing may be indicated such as pulmonary function tests, an echo and/or cardiac stress, chest xray, and/or ct scan and abdominal ultrasound if indicated. Any change in medications should also be suspect although sometimes an old medication presents new side effects.

Not to the degree you describe but I also have SOB, and have gone through much of the workups listed above. Currently taking iron infusions (low ferritin) but so far not helping much. Sometimes SOB can be quickly diagnosed and treated and sometimes requires a lot of trial and error.

Jim

[Raft]

I have had a similar experience over the past couple of weeks ans went to my GP who carried out the usual checks. He said that I should have a chest X-ray and also increase my Bisoprolol fron 2.5mg to 3.75mg for a month to see if that helped. I take 7.5mg Ramipril and 10mg Apixaban daily. My bp is around 105/60 with a heart rate around 60. I am not clear what he expects the additional Bisoprolol will achieve given that BP and heart rate have been consistent for some time. Would appreciate your thoughts as at the moment from what I read on the forum, higher levels of Bisoprolol could lead to side effects which I have not experienced before

[doodle68]

Hi Deezy, I am breathless all the time some days it is worse than others and speaking for long is difficult .

I have spoken to my EP about it and he seemed to think it was all part of my ever increasing episodes of AF.

When people are breathless they can tend to over breath .speed up their breathing to compensate I have unconsciously done this myself and it can lead to hyperventilating.

It is a good idea to teach yourself to slow down your breathing ,take long slow breaths. It takes a bit of practice, in through the nose out through the mouth counting for example 5 in 6 out.

[Buffafly in reply to doodle68]

Another technique is to purse your lips and blow out in little puffs until you can’t exhale any more - if the problem is made worse by hyperventilating that will help.

[fairgo45]

I have problems breathing properly even sometimes when eating or bending down My cardiologist did a right and left angiogram it showed my right side of heart was working too hard trying to circulate blood to the left side which had stiffening of the arteries caused by pulmonary hypertension

I'm seeing him tomorrow that's Monday here as he's trying to get a drug that's usually for diabetes even though I'm not a diabetic apparently it's not funded here so fingers crossed hes managed to pull a few strings

[NLGA]

I am the same

I have AF and the cardio doctor blames that

my echo . Lung X-rays didn’t show my heart / lungs was to bad I have a aniogram Thursday to check the arteries if it’s not a issue there then he is changing my AF medication

[Astridnova]

I got symptoms like that, including with bending down. I had pericarditis due to undetected AF, which had weakened my heart and caused leakage. It got worse quite suddenly and I had to go to Accident and Emergency, where I was admitted. So, don't delay. It could be serious, but treatable. Best of luck.

[Tricia239]

I wish I could help; I am in a very similar situation. Whenever I mention it to the experts I seem to receive just a mutter, nothing really constructive such as change of medication but that’s perhaps because I am running out of options - see my post above, ‘Cross Roads’. I hope you get it sorted because it’s debilitating (and I find it psychologically ageing).

[Quilter43 in reply to Tricia239]

Psychological aging.good way to put it.all this worrying.feel.like I aged years from all this.

[Jacquisp]

Hi Deezy,

Do check in with your medical teams and get an answer for you.

I too had those symptoms as a result of having Pericarditis with pleural and pericardial effusions. And small collapse in my one lung.

If I leaned over I lost my breath entirely and had a coughing fit. This can happen from heart failure, where the blood isn't going through the heart sufficiently. I wish I had known that at the time as would have insisted they listen to me!

My Af and flutter happened as a result of the pericarditis.

But like the others said, there a many potential causes. Good luck.

[DawnTX]

please reach out to your doctor

[DawnTX]

I meant to finish about seeing your doctor. Please don’t waste time. My heart rate was extremely high I got to so I could not even walk across the kitchen without pain and breathlessness as well as nausea. The longer your heart rate is up the weaker your heart is going to get there’s no way around that. It could be a medication, but you have suffered so long it could be continued damage which will happen especially if you have heart failure. I know because I just went through this sitting on the couch not moving was the only relief but we can’t spend life just sitting on the couch. It sounds like it’s time to reevaluate how they are treating you. Do not put it off unless it is inflammation. You’re not going to feel better. I’m telling it to you straight. Now, if you said just when you bend over many of us deal with that with afib even picking things up off the floor. We are all different and few of us are doctors on here. Please help yourself call your doctor.

[Deezy24 in reply to DawnTX]

Thank you for your reply. I will ring for an appointment tomorrow x

[Down10FTN]

Deezy24. I just went through the same thing. Had an ablation Feb 24, then had breathing problems start a few days later. Couldn't draw a full breath. Bending over to tie work boots had to be done in 2 steps. Bending over at the gym shot my heart from 55 to 138 and back in under 2 seconds. Finally said I better get this fixed.

Last Friday i called my cardio team. My EP called me back with a prescription for Furosemide. I was suspected of retaining too much water around heart and lungs

Magic! I can breathe with ease in less than 24 hours after 1st little pill.

Good luck

Tim

[Deezy24 in reply to Down10FTN]

Thank you for that. I will ring for an appointment tomorrow x

[Down10FTN in reply to Deezy24]

As an aside. I was down 7 lbs of water in 24 hours.

[DawnTX in reply to Down10FTN]

That stuff works quick. I still have some just in case. I am glad it worked for you.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

The bending over for me is the enlarged Left Chamber.

I'm not breathless now after stopping Metroprolol. But I do stop and

the Dr says oxygen is not getting around the body. AF.

But I am now controlled H/R on CCB Diltiazem 120mg AM and 2.5 BB PM. Must

be separated!!!!

It's a time of crossing things off a list.

AF caused a stroke in 2019 but then 4 days in hospital found thyroid cancer a shadow on it during the Carotis Neck Scan.

Thyroid tests were normal and no lump on my neck!

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

[Vito-Iolo]

i have the same symptoms.. I've had AF for many years and also had covid and was wondering if I have long covid as well..?

The out-of-breath situation makes me very tired and weak.. I've also got ulcerative colitis that is also tireing..!!!

[Deezy24]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply to me. I will see my GP.

[Pippy36]

I have had a cough for a number of years - it comes and goes and the cough can be different each time. I cough every time I bend over too but nobody seems to know why.This last couple if weeks my cough sounds wheezy and at times I feel I need more air. I always get out of breath but again these past few weeks can only walk a very short distance without having to stop. Spoke to Heart Failure nurse yesterday and she suggested seeing GP and she sent my surgery email.

GP has referred me back to HF nurse and am waiting to hear for appointment.

I was wondering if the high pollen count could affect my cough/breathlessness.

I take Levothyroxine for thyroid (had half of it removed many years ago). I take Furosomide 60mg per day + 12.5 mg Spironalactone. Over the years when I have had fluid retention affects it affects my face especially eyelids and sometimes around my middle. I don't appear to have any at the moment.

I also take Amiodorone Bisoprolol Candestarten besides having an ICD fitted.

I have a type if MD called Limb Girdle - it is not known if this caused my heart problem 13 years ago.

Please let me know your outcome. I also cough with change if air around me eg. opening front door. I am okay if I sit in one place but as soon as I move I cough! Look forward to hearing your update and will forward mine when it happens.

Reassuring I am not only one with these problems.