Dealing with breathlessness and heart rate: emotional and physical impact. How to cope?

My question today is how did any of you deal with breathlessness and rapid increase in heart rate while you were waiting for an appointment with cardio? Because walking upstairs is becoming a massive chore that wipes the energy out of me. Any advice on how to cope until that appointment comes round?

[Mazmum]

I experience symptoms which sound very similar to yours, with racing pulse and breathlessness too severe to speak once I’ve scaled Everest (sorry, got to the top of the stairs!) I even had a stair-lift company come to give me a quote, but just couldn’t get my head around sitting on one at the age of 66 when I’ve always been fit and active. As my stairs have a curve, my husband has put a chair on the half-landing, so I do 6 steps, sit down and recover, then do the remaining 6 and sit on the bed when I get to the top.

I am now taking meds to help, but my breathlessness can still be very troubling even if I do everyday tasks like loading the washing machine or tying shoelaces; I just have to pace myself and allow extra recovery time.

I hope your cardiologist appointment comes along soon and you get some relief.

[linnielizzie]

Morning - Easy to say this but I really found that accepting the breathlessness and allowing for it when going upstairs, doing small jobs or even trying to get to sleep really helped. Once you are on medication it should assist. For now try, if you can, to relax and not get too anxious as that only seems to make things worse. Just take it slowly and breathe slowly and methodically when you have a breathless moment !!

[Hidden]

Hi. Simply, because you have too. What other choice is there? If you are NOT coping, I don't see any other alternative than to speak to your Doctor and ask him to prescribe something to help or maybe it could be worth contacting a BHF Nurse here and explain how you are feeling to them.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I was just asking for advice because I imagine many others have dealt with the same thing. I’m waiting for cardio appointments so was just wondering how others coped through that time. That’s all

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Well I think everyone who is on this Site have felt like you at some point in time. I know I certainly did. I was just giving advice. It is completely up to you whether you take it or not!

[Cottagegardener]

It’s an anxious time dainty flower which can make things worse. Relaxation and patience is the key to coping till you can talk about this with your cardiologist or GP. Try to keep busy and occupied in a gentle sort of way - reading, or a quiet stroll always helped me. 🌸

[imps4]

Try meditation apps or relaxation ones,or even breathing ones .when you concentrate on the voice and following instructions it can make a difference even you go back into worry mode. I try to think if it was urgent I d hear something quickly.

[Pussacat]

Distraction techniques such as listening to favourite music, adult colouring books, crafts or anything you can do to help keep the anxiety down are worth a try. Failing that find the contact for your local Mindsmatter or Community mental health support services and make a self referral. Your GP could prescribe something like Promethazine to help but anything natural is better if you find something that helps. Anxiety is a natural reaction and can't hurt you by itself, it is how you respond and manage the feeling that is important. The trigger is clearly waiting for answers but they will come. Take a breath and remind yourself if it is urgent you will hear sooner, the longer it takes the less serious things will probably be.Take your time, it will get better.