Shortness of Breath Hub
Struggling to catch your breath can be unsettling, especially when it happens suddenly or during routine activities. Shortness of breath (also called dyspnoea) may be a sign of something as simple as deconditioning or something as serious as heart failure. Our Shortness of Breath Hub focuses on helping you breathe easier, move better, and live healthier.
From timely diagnosis to personalised management, we at CardioOne offer comprehensive care with compassion, clinical precision, and state-of-the-art technology.
What is Shortness of Breath?
Shortness of breath is the sensation of not getting enough air or needing to breathe harder or faster than usual. It may come on gradually or suddenly, and can occur during exertion, while lying flat, or even at rest.
It’s a symptom, not a diagnosis, and may be caused by a wide range of heart, lung, blood, and systemic conditions. Understanding the root cause is essential for effective treatment.
How the Heart Works
Many cases of shortness of breath are linked to heart function. The heart pumps oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. When it can’t do so effectively due to conditions like heart failure, arrhythmias, or valve disease, the lungs and tissues may be deprived of oxygen, leading to breathlessness.
Causes and Risk Factors of Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath can arise from cardiac, pulmonary, or other systemic causes. Some of the most common include:
Cardiac causes: heart failure, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, arrythmias (e.g., atrial fibrillation).
Non-cardiac causes: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, pulmonary embolism, interstitial lung disease, anaemia, obesity or deconditioning, anxiety, and panic disorders.
Risk factors include:
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Obesity
- Family history of heart or lung disease
- Previous heart attacks or lung infections
Symptoms of Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath can vary from mild to severe and may be associated with other symptoms, depending on the underlying condition.
Watch for the following symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing during exertion or at rest
- Needing to sleep propped up with pillows (orthopnoea)
- Waking up gasping for air (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea)
- Chest tightness or discomfort
- Fatigue or weakness
- Coughing or wheezing
- Swelling in the ankles or legs
If you are experiencing sudden, unexplained, or worsening breathlessness, seek medical advice promptly.
Diagnosing Shortness of Breath
At CardioOne, we use a wide range of tools to determine the cause of your breathlessness. These include:
Treating Shortness of Breath
Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause. Our goal is to relieve symptoms and address the root problem. Common treatments for shortness of breath include:
If your shortness of breath is non-cardiac-related, we may refer you to specialists for lung-related treatments. These may include:
Life After Shortness of Breath Treatment
Life after shortness of breath treatment is about more than just managing symptoms—it’s about improving your overall quality of life. At CardioOne, led by Professor Darren Walters, we provide ongoing care and support to help you regain control of your breathing and health. This includes regular follow-up appointments, medication optimisation, and access to cardiac rehabilitation programs tailored to your needs. We also offer nutritional and exercise support, as well as psychological care to help manage any anxiety that may contribute to breathlessness. Through education and practical tools, we help you confidently manage chronic conditions at home.
FAQs
Why CardioOne Specialises in Shortness of Breath
CardioOne specialises in shortness of breath because we understand how complex and distressing this symptom can be, and how often it signals an underlying heart condition. Led by Professor Darren Walters, our team is uniquely equipped to assess and manage breathlessness with precision and care.
At our Shortness of Breath Hub, we combine cutting-edge testing with a deep understanding of cardiovascular and respiratory interplay, allowing us to uncover the root cause of your symptoms and deliver targeted, effective treatment.