Getting slight breathlessness when walking.

[omits]

For a long time I had a med/light pain in the sternum area when I stride out which passes as I continue. Sort of warming up my thought on it. I get ectopics but only about 1000 a day ish but manageable. I have mild ischaemia. Recently when just walking normally I had a breathlessness thing. It only lasted what about thirty seconds or a bit less. Other times very light ache in chest like before but soon clears. So I mentioned it to the Dr and he expressed concern about the breathing. He set me up for a blood test for some other issues but I am not sure the test will reveal anything about this issue. My blood pressure has been high in the recent past but now steady at 130/80/70.

Can't take statins give me real grief.

Dr due ring me tomorrow results of blood tests so I want to progress this. Not sure how to express what I want so any advice welcome. I am not expecting solutions just experiences or ideas. Thanks.

[Hidden]

Hello

I am sorry to hear you are having a few difficulties

Taking a Statin will not stop this breathing issue but they help prevent your arteries blocking up which that alone is a positive if you take them

I hope after getting your blood tests results back you and your Doctor can get to the bottom of what is the cause of this and if you have time you will come back and let us know how you have got on x

[Pmj63]

I had similar condition ...whenever I would strain physical or climb stairs r slope briskly I would experience breathlessness..we started measuring vitals and it showed that pulse rate was going down at such times ...would last less than a minute and would be normal all day Finally doc recommended pace maker implant which I got in 2020 and am fine since then

[omits in reply to Pmj63]

Did a blood test show anything? I am talking to Dr this morning and based on what you describe I will push the idea if he doesn't come up with anything. Before he rings I will do a bit of heavy stair exercise and see what happens. Thanks.

[Tommo1947]

HiI was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation in '21 ( age 74) , the main symptom being breathlessness and, like you, tenderness in the sternum.

I went to hospital when I could hardly breathe and my weight had shot up 7 lbs in 3 days.

Now I'm on a cocktail of Apixaban, Bisoprolol, Digoxin and Furosemide.

The latter, a diuretic, isn't very sociable but has been very effective at keeping the weight down and, in combination, the drugs have done their job ; not in curing AF, but by lowering heart rate, and giving me back my energy.

The sternum pain has gone completely.

As others have said, it can take time for the benefits of drugs to come through, as the body adjusts.

All the best.

[AndyDrums]

Couple of years ago, in march, I started getting a bit of a burning sensation in my chest at the start of a bike ride. this passed after 5 mins, no other symptoms. Felt exactly like the burning in the lungs you get when exercising in really cold weather. Then one day it started when I was walking. went to docs, he sent me to cardiac unit of hospital. After tests, amazed everyone to see 5 major blockages in 3 arteries and needed a triple by-pass. 2 years after the op I'm absolutely fine, but so lucky I went to doctors and that he recognised potential issue.

[omits in reply to AndyDrums]

Very interesting AndyDrums. Dr has booked me in for a Chest Xray. Don't know if that's the best way to find something. Fingers crossed. A previous angiogram showed one of my Heart 'ports' has a moderate blockage. Unfortunately its what they call the 'widow maker'! Your symptoms are familiar.

[AndyDrums in reply to omits]

I'm sure they are looking after you well. Good luck with everything!

[omits]

Had the chest x-ray and result is 'no further action necessary'. BUT I still get incidents (seemingly random occassions to fill the lungs) of breathlessness which is not related to exercise. Not really serious. Spoke to Dr today and suggested an echocardiogram but he said first to do a BLT (blood test now booked). Forgot to ask what a 'BLT' is. Anyone know? Thanks.