Breathing : Hello all hope everyone is... - British Heart Fou...

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Breathing

Foxtrot07 profile image
8 Replies

Hello all hope everyone is well.

Is anyone else having issues with their breathing at night in this humid weather.

I'm fine all day, then once in bed I'm struggling to get my breath.

Cheers Ste Fox

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Foxtrot07 profile image
Foxtrot07
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8 Replies
Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day

I strongly urge you contact your GP or the cardiac nurse. The only time I am only short of breath on lying down only is when I'm having a pericarditis flare. (I have recurrent pericarditis, pericardial effusion, and scarring)

The heat and humidity affect us all, I think, for me it's when the temperature goes over 22C/74F with more than 70% humidity. I am more prone to shortness of breath and angina on exertion than usual when that low threshold is reached. Again, the only time I have shortness of breath lying down is during a pericarditis flare.

I am not medically trained and the only advice given here that you should rely on is: call your health care provider and report you are short of breath when lying down. Please update and let us know how you get on.

Love100cats profile image
Love100cats in reply toSunnie2day

We had a visit from a nurse some time ago about the need for oxygen at night and were given a lesson on 'fan therapy's. We thought it was funny 😂 but I bought a silent fan and use it every night usually on the lowest speed. It gives a very gentle breeze. I wouldn't be without it now.

Sunnie2day profile image
Sunnie2day in reply toLove100cats

We have an oscillating pedestal fan in the bedroom at the foot of the bed with the fan span set to just the bed area (worth the money to be able to adjust how far the swing goes). I was using the clip-on 'personal' fan I use on the laptop tray but my husband kept pushing me nearly off the bed in his effort to enjoy more breeze:) I thought about it on the headboard until I realised he'd only move it to aim more at him. The floor fan keeps us both comfy:)

Those tips they give seem giggly at first - until we try them and discover what a difference the tips make in managing our heart conditions. My all-time favourite tip is to always take the large trolley in the supermarket even if only there for a loaf of bread and jug of milk - I can't count the number of times during this spring and summer I've needed to lean on that thing to catch my breath or wait for the angina to ease off.

Love100cats profile image
Love100cats in reply toSunnie2day

I'm so glad I'm not the only one pushing a trolley with a loaf of bread in it. The other thing both my husband and I do when out and out of breath is stop and pretend we are admiring the view or looking in a shop window. Usually works well but at times the contents of the shop window has attracted funny looks.😖

Becksagogo profile image
Becksagogo in reply toSunnie2day

How funny! My sister laughs at me because I too use my trolley as a kind of crutch!

Frigid profile image
Frigid

When I am feeling breathless at night I raise my upper body to an almost sitting position that helps, but I have recently bought a air purifier it helps clear the air and lightly cools it, then I have a really good night and most nights I sleep without interruption .

Frigid profile image
Frigid

Another problem I face is my lungs, I have sarcoidosis with asthma an uneasy combination with heart failure, not sure at times what is causing the breathlessness so meet all three and find as I stated in my last reply I sit up high or use the air purifier, I won’t take chances with my health I have regular checks with hospital and clinics and so far all is ok.

Foxtrot07 profile image
Foxtrot07

Thanks for all your replies.

I went to Drs today. They gave me an inhaler and sent me for a blood test to see if there is any fluid round my heart.

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