shortness of breath

[TiredHeart]

I feel as if my afib is causing me shortness of breath which I find keeps me far less active than I want to be. Even slight inclines and a few steps and I feel the afib is worse and makes breathing more difficult. Does anyone have this issue?

[BenHall1]

Back in the day - Jan through July 2010 when first diagnosed it would take me over half an hour to walk the distance I can now do in 10 minutes. I was 65 then - now 80 in Sept 2024.

[TiredHeart in reply to BenHall1]

In 2022 I was shoveling snow and mowing lawn and doing everything around my yard and house then slowly started noticing less strength and stamina and shortness of breath. I've always had palpitations, but docs just said everyone has them, I'm just more "sensitive" to them. In 2022 the first answer was join a gym, get more exercise. After much research and persistence and advocating for myself, in late 2023 I was diagnosed with amyloidosis and then February this year while in the hospital after an emergency surgery, I have added perpetual afib to my problems. All of the 'ologists' I see say exercise, but it's difficult when my heart doesn't seem to get the oxygen I need to the muscles I need to exercise!

I've just been scheduled at Mass General to have a PFA in October and am hopeful it will be the answer to my shortness of breath. I just turned 70 and am not ready to become a couch potato!

[Prettywoman15 in reply to TiredHeart]

I’m very interested in your outcome bc I’m experiencing the same symptoms

[TiredHeart in reply to Prettywoman15]

The symptoms of Amyloidosis are more often than not blamed on old age and I tell everyone I know if to ask their doctors for a light chain blood test to check for amyloid if they even think there's something wrong.

[Prettywoman15 in reply to TiredHeart]

Thank you

[secondtry in reply to BenHall1]

Snap!

[BenHall1 in reply to secondtry]

😀😀😀👍👍👍

[opal11uk]

This needs to be looked at by your cardiologist, it could mean change of medication but it is a symptom that needs attention for possible cause. This happened to me last year, together with dizzy and an annoying little cough.......diagnosis was that I was in permanent A/F and minor heart failure so all drugs adjusted and Furisimide prescribed for fluid overload which was over burdening my heart.........now ok.

Exercise needs to be gradually worked upon, so that you are building up say from 5 minutes to 10 minutes and so on, it might be an idea to research the exercises used for cardiac rehabilitation . Remember, everything in moderation, exercise does not have to be vigorous, just gentle and regular until your body gets used to it then hopefully you will be able to do a little more but in the first instance ask to be referred to a cardiologist to deal with the breathlessness.

[TiredHeart in reply to opal11uk]

I have 4 cardiologists, 2 in Maine and 2 in Boston. Because of the amyloid factor, the docs in Maine don't seem to know how to deal with my symptoms, thus the PFAblation in Boston in October. My Maine cardiologist said see you next year at my last visit in April!

[Mcgandy]

Yes, its my principal symptom. That said it does build with exercise, but only in some ways. I cycled 40 miles yesterday, but only by a reduced pace and avoiding hills. Slight inclines are a problem, bigger ones impossible. That said, when all this started in March I got breathlessness BEFORE I went into a fib, but doctors dont seem to want to hear about that, it was diagnosed as IE of asthma at the time.

Also, of course I'm on beta blocker which sometimes causes breathing issues, tho everyone assures me this one is cardio specific.

In short this is a thicket you (and I) have to battle thru to find the root cause. I start with an ablation soon.

[TiredHeart in reply to Mcgandy]

I can't believe you can cycle 40 miles! Good for you. After my medical journey and discovering I have amyloid, an under diagnosed 'rare' blood disease, I encourage everyone to ask their doctors to test for amyloid, which can cause heart issues but goes undetected. The onset symptoms for me were shortness of breath, loss of stamina, fatigue, and loss of strength. This sneaky disease tends to affect people in their later years, which is when we're told we slow down due to age!

I have 4 cardiologists now and still no definitive answers. I've had multiple echos, stress tests, regular blood tests with elevated troponin and NT Pro B results, a heart biopsy, and still looking for relief!

[Mcgandy in reply to TiredHeart]

I should emphasise these are relatively flat miles. I get on a rhythm and it's ok, any extra effort, or remounting after a rest, is a breathless affair.Never heard of amyloid, will take a look.

[Golfer60UK]

Hello Tired Heart, My Afib is 'controlled' by a pacemaker and AV node ablated, two years ago. The only medication is a blood thinner, Apixaban.

The reason I replied to you is i was becoming breathless when walking, golfing or just sitting. I found it quite helpful to breath in through the nose and expel air from the mouth slowly for a few times.

This was continuing plus my ankles were slightly swollen, so off i went to the local hospital as I felt awful on the day. Blood tests and an ECG indicated Heart failure. Bit harsh of a description because basically my heart was not pumping efficiently enough to pump from the bottom of the body back to the heart.

I have spoken to the Cardiologist who has treated me since the onset of Afib, and she wants further tests which may result in the need for a different type of pacemaker combined with medication.

Please check your ankles to see if you have fluid retention, plus your lungs too, but best advice would be to seek medical advice.

I am 79

Dave

[TiredHeart in reply to Golfer60UK]

Fluid has been a problem since long before a cardiologist suggested congestive heart failure. I definitely breathe better since changing from lasix to bumetamide to help reduce the fluid.

[TiredHeart in reply to Golfer60UK]

I know this is an afib forum, but my amyloid was buried under cardiac and breathing problems and I can't stress enough how people in our age bracket should be tested for it.

[AKatieD]

Until I had a cardioversion, I was the same

[TiredHeart in reply to AKatieD]

I had a cardioversion in February that helped just long enough to release me from the hospital.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to TiredHeart]

Hi

Medication is a number one cause of breathlessness.

No to Metoprolol but the Endo....... still put me on 3 x 23.75mgs. on the Stroke Ward. The worse for AFers. Bisoprolol is better the H/Specialist said.

Home without follow up except for waiting for a biopsy for thyroid camcer I struggled with it and fatigue from exertion. At 186 my H/Rate was uncontrolled and the 24hr monitor showed pauses at night.

Changed to Bisoprolol even increased to 10mg at 156 Day still uncontrolled.

Then at 2 years 3 months I was referred by my new Locum to a private Heart Specialist. Introduced nr to CCB Diltiazem. 180mg too high.

Regime for the last 2yrs 6 months

AM Diltiazem 120mg to control H/Rate. 60s Day and my normal low 47bpm avg Night.

PM Bisoprolol 2.5mg to control BP

Now been discharged from Outpatients Cardiac.

Check and change your meds. Me no ACE, Metoprolol.

Put your feet up at night above your heart level.

cherio JOY. 75. (NZ)

[AKatieD]

Everything else with me seems to be down to hormones. Emotional upset seemed a big driver of Afib and still had occasional incidences after cardioversion but working on my cortisol levels and HRT at the moment to see if that will reduce themstill further.

[BaileyC57]

Yes I did , when I took a shower I felt like I ran a race , so out of breath! They put me on 5mg of NEBIVOLOL and feel a lot better! This med is a bata blocker!

[KelliEAnniE]

hi when I got diagnosed with AF I was put on bisoperal and apixoban I started to be short of breath and just thought it was a side effect of having AF could only walk a few steps without getting short of breath hower a few month ago I went to AE as breathing was bad they said it was asthma did have asthma but never that bad they put me on a nebulizer but this sent my heart rate yo 210 so ended up in resus and stayed in hospital gor four days till everything had settled down however the consultant who camround said because I had asthma I shouldn't take bisoperal as it made asthma worse he changed me to verapamil so now have apixoban and verapamil and I have never felt better so I font know if you have asthma but so glad he changed my meds I can now walk as far as I want without getting out of breath hope this info helps best of luck

[marcyh]

For me, it has nothing to do with my med (anticoagulant). But everything to do with AFib. If I'm having an episode I get so short of breath I can't get out of bed or off the couch or I'm at risk of passing out. I have to quickly take my rhythm control and stay quiet until it converts, which is at least two hours. I have had two ablations and thankfully I am now AF free and not short of breath!

[TiredHeart in reply to marcyh]

Wow - I'm glad for you that the ablations worked. It must be such a relief.

[marcyh in reply to TiredHeart]

My EP gave me my life back since AF greatly impacted what I could do and when.

[KelliEAnniE]

hi just to add I have permanant AF controlled with meds no other heart issues

[Ozette]

What you describe was typical of my AFib

[stamelos]

Permanent AF 2003, in 2016 so fed up with symptoms as yourself, started cycling, (69 yrs old), going a little further each time. Resting when I felt the need, and at 73 peaked in fitness terms and riding anything between 20-30 miles. Can walk now without much in the way of symptoms, provided I warm up to it first. Symptoms can be provoked on exercise, but the limit is much higher than before I started to exercise seriously. Wish someone had told me this years ago would have done it much sooner. Good luck

[heartface]

I sympathise with you, as soon as the steps loom into view or the pathway inclines I lose power and begin to slow to almost a standstill. I have blocked arteries too and wonder if that is lowering my oxygen also. Just take a seat if possible and enjoy the rest for a while I suppose. 🤔😊

[TiredHeart in reply to heartface]

Yes, steps and inclines are a force to be reckoned with, but I'm trying to tell them they won't keep me down.

Has your doctor suggested addressing your blocked arteries with surgery? That has got to be playing a part in your sob.