Why does my cousin have breathlessness on climbing stairs?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have a 21-year-old cousin who is 5.9 feet tall and weighs 264 pounds. He has slight breathlessness when he climbs stairs. He does not have any other health complaints and does regular health checkups. Please take a look at the attached test reports and kindly let us know what needs to be done.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have reviewed his reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity) and identified several noteworthy issues. Firstly, his weight of 264 pounds results in a BMI (body mass index) of around 37, indicating severe obesity. In his lipid profile, his HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels are high for his age. Additionally, his vitamin D levels are low, which is often associated with limited sunlight exposure, and his vitamin B12 levels are low, a common finding in pure vegetarians. I recommend addressing his weight by incorporating daily 30-minute exercise routines and avoiding high-fat foods. Furthermore, for his vitamin deficiencies, I suggest the following interventions with the consent of his doctor: Tablet Vitamin D 60k units once a week for eight weeks and Tablet ME12 (a combination of Mecobalamin, Pyridoxine, and Folic acid) to be taken once daily at night for three months.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reach out in case of further queries.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Apolipoproteins A, B, and C are the carrier molecules for cholesterol in the body. Cholesterol in the body exists in five different forms. ApoB is for LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, which is harmful to the body. The changes in the ratio of ApoA and ApoB speak about the risk of cardiovascular disease. Lipoproteins and hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein) are again cardiovascular risk factors. High homocysteine also increases cardiac risk, but in your cousin's case, it is not so high as to bother. So in your cousin's case, there are multiple cardiac risk factors at a very young age, which is why in the previous answer I have suggested a weight loss regimen and changing the sedentary lifestyle. Ferritin is also low, but it is not a big concern, as it can be improved with iron-rich foods like jaggery, green leafy vegetables, etc. I have already suggested medicines for vitamin D and vitamin B12 deficiencies. Please follow that.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to reach out in case of further queries.

Thank you.