What could cause shortness of breath while exercising?

Question

Hi doctor,

My problem started three years back for the first time when I started taking dumbbells for exercise. As I did not know how much weight should I start, I took 44 pounds (22 pounds in each hand). Within a week of exercise, I felt shortness of breath. So I stopped doing it and visited a doctor.

He told me to take an ECG and it came out normal, but I had a higher pulse rate. When he checked my BP it was also high, like 140/90 mmHg. So, he prescribed Nebicard 2.5 one tablet per day in the morning and it brought down my heart rate and BP.

Since then I am not able to work hard and when I do something excessive sweating and a higher pulse happen. So, I visited a cardiologist and he asked for an echo test. It was taken lying down and he told me there was no problem, but I had a bicuspid aortic valve. He told me to continue with Nebicard and take an echo every year.

But, even today I have symptoms like a higher pulse and I can feel the heart beating hard when I touch the chest wall. Also, when I stand up suddenly my heart rate first increases and then decreases low after some seconds and I sweat. This is accompanied by breathing difficulty. This stops to normal in some one or two minutes and the heart rate becomes normal.

This has been happening to me for three years and still going on. What is wrong with me? Is BAV causing this? What test should I take now? I have done all blood tests, thyroid tests, and kidney Doppler, everything was normal too. Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thanks for consulting me on this platform.

I have thoroughly gone through your case and can well understand your genuine health concerns.

I think you need to carry out taking the same medication as this is a mandatory medication. Exercise-induced asthma may also cause shortness of breath. Excess sweating is natural and this is also a side effect of almost every medication used for lowering heart rate. It is called postural hypotension, in which you feel sleepy and sometimes weak when standing up from a sitting position.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I have thoroughly gone through your case and can well understand your genuine health concerns.

The probable cause is postural hypotension. It usually occurs due to heart abnormalities or peripheral blood vessel-related issues. Yes, any heart defect that affects the pumping function of the heart may cause such issues as in your case. Yes, shortness of breath is happening due to this.

Regarding prognosis and future worsening, your cardiologist can tell you better as he has the advantage of having a physical examination and has the option of diagnostic investigations as needed. Each drug has its own side effects. No matter what they are, we need to see whether you need it or not. So, do not worry as your doctor must have ruled that out for you.

I hope that you get your answer.

Please let me know if you need any help.

Thank you.