Sudden single sharp breath intake

[Health20232024]

I have recently developed a new symptom 1 1/2 year after an aortic valve replacement and a stent. I am having random sharp intake of a single breath several times a day. I otherwise feel totally normal and my breathing is fine. Any ideas what might cause this?

[Hanibil]

Hi I had mechanical aortic valve replacement in 2005 and i have the same sharp intake, I used to have it a lot but now maybe a couple of times a week. I have no idea what courses it.

[Health20232024 in reply to Hanibil]

Thanks so much for your info. My valve was bovine but it's interesting that we both had valve replacement. I am seeing my cardiologist in 2 weeks and if he has answers I will post them.

[Yumz199725]

I get this i wasn't aware it was to do with my leaky aortic valve and I haven't had the surgery yet? So this is a new symptom for you? I've had this for years thought it was normal 🤔x

[Health20232024 in reply to Yumz199725]

Actually I'm not sure it has anything to do with my valve at all. I hope to get some answers when I see my cardiologist and I will post his input. Thanks for your reply

[Yumz199725 in reply to Health20232024]

I just been looking it up there is a whole range of things could be like bad posture, anxiety and stress and heart and lung issues?? Probably all of them for me 😂. I always have this when ever I have an echo so I wonder what it must look like on the echo.

[Health20232024 in reply to Yumz199725]

Interesting. It sounds like many things can bring it on. I hope to figure out what it is on my case soon and I will post it. Thanks much for your input.

[TriumphLover]

I'm 5 months post valve replacement, I know the breath your talking about. I'm slightly different in that mine was much worse at the start and had lessened over time. Its now mainly in bed and I think when stressed.

Early research took me down the path of the Vagus nerve, I'm not sure how much was foo foo! It can be reset apparently. Worth a go I guess..

[Health20232024 in reply to TriumphLover]

Oh well that sure makes sense that it could be something like that too or maybe many things could do it. Thanks for your input

[El-Tel1990]

Did you have open heart surgery ? I had OHS for a CABG x4 three years ago and also experienced this sharp intake of breath . It has gone away but only after 2 years. I put it down to the bypass and it really never caused a problem.

[Health20232024 in reply to El-Tel1990]

I had a TAVR where they go up thru an artery to the heart and replace the stenotic valve with a new bovine valve. Thanks for your input

[Cat04]

I had this frequently every day before my AVR a year ago. The frequency lessened for about 6 months post-op but is now coming back again a few times per day. Pre-op my cardiologist just acknowledged it was part of my symptoms but as it has returned I am waiting for a cardiology appt and will be mentioning it then. I would be interested to know what your cardiologist says.

[Health20232024 in reply to Cat04]

Yes I will report what my cardiologist says and I'd like to hear what yours says too. Thank you for your input

[CalvinHb]

I have this after CABGx3. At first it was quite frequent, it has almost gone 7 months later. Just very occasionally. Consultant said it was a protective sack around the heart healing and not be concerned about it.

[Health20232024 in reply to CalvinHb]

It does sound like many people experience this symptom and with no apparent negative outcomes. That is a relief. Thanks for your input.

[fishonabike in reply to Health20232024]

indeed, this topic has cropped up repeatedly here

this has happened to me all through my life and i have never been concerned about it - it could be that we become more aware of it after we have had a health problem ....?

i suspect that it is connected to the vagal nerve and it's control of the diaphragm - could be a bit like a mild, isolated hiccup....?

[Health20232024 in reply to fishonabike]

Yes it is very hiccup like. That's interesting. Maybe a cousin haha. Well I sure hope we all get some good feedback from my cardiologist. Thanks for your input.

[MarSeven]

Hi, Yes I have experienced this too. My AVR was just over four years ago. I used to get that sudden, sharp intake of breath regularly, maybe three or four times most days, for about three years after OHS. It wore off after that and I haven't had many over the last year at all. But just to remind me that it is still lurking I had one earlier this week. I find I have them when I am most relaxed (sitting watching tv or before I fall asleep in bed) and it almost feels like my body has forgotten to breath and this reaction kicks in to try and to remind me, urgently, to breath. As I said, it has lessened dramatically over this last year during which my physical exercise has increased a lot since I started a full on weightlifting programme and I feel fitter than ever. I do attribute this sympton to OHS as I'd never experienced it before the operation. I would be very interested to hear your cardiologist's feedback too.

[Health20232024 in reply to MarSeven]

Yes I think it must be tied to heart disease or surgery. It seems strange that I didn't get this symptom until 1 1/2 years after the TAVR valve replacement. Thanks for your input. I will post the answer I get from my cardiologist.

[TriumphLover in reply to MarSeven]

How are you getting on with the weightlifting program?

Is it one through the hospital cardio rehab or general gym work?

I'm only 5 months out but interested in advice you might have been given regarding actual weight....

Cheers, Colin

[Health20232024 in reply to TriumphLover]

My cardio rehab program was tread mill and a few machines. I decided to continue my program at home instead so I don't have to drive across town and back for a 45 minute program. I have tread mill and weights at home and it is working out well. Thanks for your input

[MarSeven in reply to TriumphLover]

Hi Colin,I have done four rounds of a paid 75 day online Kettlebell fitness and nutrition programme (#SixPackRevolution) spaced over the last calendar year. I am now on my fifth round. You decide on the weight you use and I started with some cheap KBs (4, 6, 8 kg) from Aldi and a couple of random ones I bought from FB marketplace. I have now progressed up to 14 kg and will be looking for a 16 kg pretty soon. In between times I use the free Caroline Girvan workouts on YouTube. These are exceptional workouts and really get results, but they are designed for dumbbells of which I also now own a fair collection. Again you decide the weight you are comfortable with (you Vs you). I walk daily and run the last 1 km home if I feel like it (running is not my thing anymore, I used to be in the army). If you seriously want to make an impact to your body with weights you need to be using a good nutrition plan, high protein and fibre and a small amount of good fats. The #SPR programme taught me all I need for that. You also need a weights programme that is properly planned and progressive. If you do random workouts, you get random results.

My cardiac rehab with the NHS commenced three months after my OHS for AVR (I was in hospital for three months with other complications: sepsis and a shoulder biopsy which after many, many scans etc led to a diagnosis of endocarditis caused by osteomyelitis in my left clavicle). Cardiac rehab was very gentle but all I was capable of at the time due to the sepsis. I consider myself cured now, was physically fit before the op and consider myself fitter now, as I had never lifted weights before. I take no medication at all now and am just coming up for 64.

Good luck, check out #SPR on social media, it's completely do-able for beginners or experienced, once you feel strong enough to get going again. My friend broke her leg the same week she was due to start and they revised all the exercises for her to do from a wheelchair. Also CG has a group on FB (it's for male or female, works for both).

All the best, Brenda

[Qualipop]

You're not taking ticagrelor are you? That sounds exactly how I was when I was given it after a heart attack. IT felt as if I suddenly couldn't get a deep breath in yet my sats were fine.

[Health20232024 in reply to Qualipop]

I'm taking olmasartin, amlodipine, rosuvastatin and aspirin. It could be side effects that developed over time. My stats are fine too but I don't have the feeling that I can't take a breath. Everything seems totally normal then I just suddenly breathe in one big breath. Thanks for your input.

[Deejay62]

Oh my goodness, every now and again I get this where for no reason at all I’m suddenly taking a deep breath, like a gasp, then it stops, sometimes I might have it a couple of times a week then it will stop and a month later it would happen. There’s not a specific pattern to it but it’s usually when I’m at rest. I don’t know if yours is the same.

I have dilated cardiomyopathy, severe heart failure, Afib and severe pulmonary hypertension, which I think it might be that causing it.

I’m seeing my cardiologist in April and intend to mention it to them.

[Health20232024 in reply to Deejay62]

I have atherosclerosis hereditary from my grandfather. So very clogged arteries. Also high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Yes my disease is very likely causing this symptom. I will post what my cardiologist says about this. Thanks for your input.

[BicuspidBloke]

I developed this a couple of weeks after my surgery. Not every day but several times a week. I raised it with a heart failure nurse in a group rehab session and a couple more people said they also had it. I *think* I was told it was a side effect of a drug but it was well over a year ago. I'm not sure when it last happened - it probably stopped after just a few weeks. Definitely nothing to worry about but just raise it with one of your health care professionals.

[Health20232024 in reply to BicuspidBloke]

Yes side effects cause so many unusual side effects. I might also ask my pharmacist or look on drugs.com. Thanks for your input.

[Silvertail]

I've had this for years, though not very often. I put it down to slow breathing then having to gasp because my oxygen level has lowered momentarily.

[Health20232024 in reply to Silvertail]

Yes that sure sounds like it would be the core issue. Thanks for your input

[Southport146]

I had an AVR op almost five years ago. I remember well that sensation of a sudden sharp, deep breaths. From memory I had them for around a year after the op but they did gradually disappear after that.

[Health20232024 in reply to Southport146]

That makes sense for it to happen right after your operation but it seems strange to be happening 1 1/2 year later. Thanks for your input. I will post the reply from my cardiologist

[Sherob54]

So glad that its not just me having this sharpe intake of breath. I had a bovine valve replacement 10 years ago and its been fine apart from this. It used to be on a morning but now it happens a lot when im talking to someone its so embarassing. Im sick of asking doctors what it is and not getting any answers as if its not important.

[Health20232024 in reply to Sherob54]

Hmmm so do you think they don't know what it is or they seem to think it's not worth mentioning? There sure are lots of people with all kinds of health issues who have this, not just us bovines. Thanks so much for your input.

[Sherob54 in reply to Health20232024]

Thanks very much for your reply, im going to see my heart guy on wed. I will ask him again he just does'nt seem to think its important.

[Health20232024]

Oh and I let you all know that I will post what my cardiologist says about the the breath intake but I rescheduled my appointment for the end of February because I have a cold. But I will post, just later.

[Sherob54 in reply to Health20232024]

Thanks that would be good.

[Health20232024]

Update on the above post. I recently saw my cardiologist and asked him what this sudden intake of breath is. He just said its nothing. So still unanswered