What causes sudden intake of breath?

[Geoff47]

What causes a sudden intake of breath?

A couple of years ago I started to suffer with a sudden sharp intake of breath. Basically I would be breathing normally and then suddenly take an uncontrolled sharp deep breath. I asked my cardiologist about this but he just said it was nothing to worry about. However it does seem to have got worse over time and sometimes when it's a very deep breath I get a dull pain in my upper left back. Has anyone else experienced this and is it a cause for concern.

For reference, my history is, bypass surgery 24 years ago, mild heart attack 7 years ago. I also had catheter ablation 4 months ago to cure AF.

[IanGordon]

I've had this similar, random sharp intake of breath, out of sync with respiration rhythm.

I've had it since Open Heart Surgery almost 2 years ago. Nothing before that. Have not investigated it but have a cardiologist appointment soon, so will raise it then.

Curious....

[Maisie2014]

When I was in hospital after having my heart attack and stent one of the nurses told me that I might experience a sharp intake of breath and not to worry about it. She said it was the Ticagrelor. I’ve since got used to it as I need to take this for the rest of my life.

[Prada47]

Hello

Sorry don't know the reason, but I have had it since CABG. It has happened whilst I have been at the Heart Failure Clinic and I was told nothing to worry about. Been a few years now so I don't worry about neither !!

Regards

Take Care

Stay Well

[Buffy6956]

I’ve had this today and I’ve had it before as well but obviously it worries me more now I’ve had it again today after having a stent fitted two weeks ago.... I describe it as having to take a quick deep breath in and then puff it out again . I almost remind myself of how someone with a hangover does that deep breath and huff thingy ... I haven’t had it all day only this evening and yesterday evening I recall it as well... I think that anything outside the norm throws us when we’ve had heart surgery and it’s something we probably wouldn’t think twice about had we been told were perfectly healthy however disconcerting it is...

[007sue]

I had same after my ablation a few years back. However I have just recovered from a serious Covid19 infection and suddenly find a repeat of that sudden intake ..... occurs rather regularly. Hope it goes away soon.

[Annie2255]

Hi! I did a search and saw this post. It is exactly what I am experiencing. Breathing normally and suddenly I have an “involuntary “ deep breath. This is happening a lot and seems to be more so. Have you figured it out? Thanks

[Geoff47 in reply to Annie2255]

I never got any help for this. Both my cardiologist and GP said it's nothing to be concerned about. However a few months ago, I had a nasty incident when I was taking my evening pills. Whilst one of the pills (bisoprolal) was still in my mouth, I had the sudden intake of breath and the pill was inhaled into my windpipe. A few minutes later I began to cough and wheeze and I began to struggle to breath. I seriously felt my time had come and I gestured to my wife to call an ambulance. She suggested I try a dose of her asthma inhaler, which I did and this relieved the problem. I later discussed this with my GP, but she could offer no advice.

[WardijaWardija]

I, too, experience this, and whilst I'm sure its not life-threatening , it is disconcerting, especially when you're not expecting it.I get it when I'm sitting or laying down. Never when I'm standing.

I have 3 stents, take a vast cocktail of drugs but never had OHS.

Is it just an acknowledged, but unknown phenomenon, or does it have a biological/physiological cause and a given name or term ?

[JJkilbride]

HI Geoff I asked my surgeon (mitral valve repair) this today. He demonstrated the action back to me. His explanation was it was my lung 'settling back' into their space and that i should lean into it when it happens ie deep breath in . For clarity he said this was a normal process post surgery (im 2 weeks). Hope that helps.

John