Breathless and exhausted after crouching down

[ScoobyDoo71]

Had a rubbish day yesterday. I’ve recently started back to work after shielding and I don’t know if the new routine has anything to do with things. Every weekend I have weeded a small strip of border in the garden, there is not much to do and only takes about 15 mins.

Yesterday got up and did same as always but struggled hugely with crouching down I couldn’t breathe ,y and overwhelmed with fatigue, no pain or palpitations just complete exhaustion. Ended up unable to do anything for most of the rest of the day.

I have congenital heart disease it drives me mad as I struggle massively to accept the limitations that heart problems bring.

[Fluffybee]

Hi ScoobyDoo17

I’ve posted on here a while back about being breathless on bending over like unloading the dishwasher etc.

Quite a few people had the same problem, took me by surprise when it started.

At one point I was asked if I was overweight as it could be that squashing everything up or words to that effect from someone !!!!!!! Happily, I’m proud to say I’m well within my BMI.

How long have you noticed it for ?

[ScoobyDoo71 in reply to Fluffybee]

Thanks for the reply, to be honest I’ve had it on and off for a while with some days better than others. I think it just took me by surprise yesterday as completely wiped me out.

[Magicfairy]

Hi there, I also have ACHD, I understand the frustration of feeling exhausted when you haven’t done much to warrant it, hate the way it interferes with life, but thank goodness do have some nearly normal days too, wishing you well with more good day than bad 🙂

[ScoobyDoo71 in reply to Magicfairy]

Thank you, you are right I’m lucky in many ways that there is a lot that I can do. I think it’s just when I have days like that the reality of things is very apparent. I know I’m not as good as I used to be, recent CPET significantly worse but no obvious fix. I have felt better whilst shielding and working from home but my job requires me back at work 😬 and alternative work limited.

[Annie-blue]

Hi

I have a severe AS diagnosis. I do a lot of gardening and I don't get much in the way of symptoms, but one thing I have noticed is that sometimes I get slightly out of breath bending or crouching down to do weeding etc.

My father had Postural hypotension so I know that getting up and down causes changes in blood pressure. I use a kneeling pad for weeding sometimes, which means I need to get up and down less often and it does seem to help.

[Bob6969]

Look up Bendopia🧐

[IrisCarter]

My HF nurse explained it to me as being because 6% of the blood volume is in the legs, so bending over or crouching down puts a strain on the heart.

[Sunnie2day]

You could be describing 'bendopnea'. The word was coined by US (Texas) cardiologists around 2014 to describe the breathlessness caused when bending at the middle to tie shoes, weed a garden bed, similar, in response to the bending exacerbating the compression affect of accumulated fluid, and corresponds to heart failure in many (not all) patients reporting it.

You need to check with your medic - just in case - to see if he/she wants to examine you.

[Handel]

As Annie-blue says, a kneeling pad might help. My hubby uses one and for some reason the awful feeling of bending and crouching is eased so much. He doesn't particularly like the flowery pattern but who cares!! Good luck. xxx

[ScoobyDoo71]

Thank you for all your replies it’s really helpful

I know my right ventricle is slightly enlarged and that my CPET suggests a PAH picture but echo and angio suggest all ok. I’m sure like you say it’s something to do with changes in pressure on cardiovascular system. I wish I could show how it affects me day to day when doing activities rather than everything being checked when I’m sitting still 🤦‍♀️

[Purbecklady]

Glad this issue has been raised , I thought it was just me and my gp really annoyed me when she suggested it was due to weight, despite being the same size for many years and never having these symptoms previously! but it makes perfect sense when you read about the cause. Thank you ! 👍

[SarahJLD in reply to Purbecklady]

Likewise I’m glad this topics been raised. I mentioned it to initial cardiologist who dismissed and said it wouldn’t be due to heart problems but I was always convinced it was.

[ScoobyDoo71]

Thank you for taking the time to find this article. I am paced but mainly just atrial as have sick sinus syndrome tachy Brady so as far as I’m aware my AV conduction is ok. There has been mention of a stress echo but think everything on hold due to COVID. Interestingly I’ve just been speaking to occupational health dr who has been really helpful and she too said about changing pressures with different positions. I think I will stick to walking and leave the weeds for now.