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What could cause shortness of breath during exercise?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 41-year-old male experiencing fatigue and weakness. Even light exercise causes me to become short of breath. My father had heart issues and underwent a triple bypass. I want to determine if my weakness is related to a heart problem. I have had an ECG and 2D echocardiogram, both of which were normal. Are there any other tests I can undergo to assess whether my heart is healthy and functioning properly? Currently, I am taking Levothyroxine 100 mg for hypothyroidism, as well as Esomeprazole and Domperidone for acidity.

Please advise.

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka

Education:

Faculty of Medicine

Professional Bio:

Dr. Ilir Sharka is a Cardiologist. He can diagnose and manage heart diseases such as coronary artery disease and heart failure. He can interpret ECG, echocardiography, and stress tests. He can help in hypertension management and lipid control. He can treat arrhythmias and conduction disorders. He also does interventional procedures, including angioplasty and stenting (where applicable). He can help in heart valve disease assessment and management. He can provide preventive cardiology and risk factor modification.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have reviewed your concern and would like to explain that since your cardiac tests (ECG and echocardiogram) have returned to normal at rest (attachment removed to protect patient identity), an obvious cardiac disorder has been primarily excluded. However, given your coronary risk factors, such as a strong family history of coronary artery disease (CAD), potential hyperlipidemia (in the context of hypothyroidism), and your symptoms, an exercise cardiac stress test could be a useful option for further investigating any possible cardiac implications.

That said, the factors responsible for your weakness are more likely to be unrelated to your heart. First, it is important to confirm whether your current thyroid therapy is appropriate and if no dose adjustment is needed. To assess this, thyroid hormone levels should be checked. Additionally, it would be valuable to investigate other potential contributing factors, such as anemia (via a complete blood count), pulmonary function (through pulmonary function tests), blood glucose levels, electrolyte levels, and blood pressure. I recommend discussing these issues with your doctor.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by Dr. K. Shobana
Published At January 10, 2019
Reviewed At October 22, 2025

Education:

Faculty of Medicine

Professional Bio:

Dr. Ilir Sharka is a Cardiologist. He can diagnose and manage heart diseases such as coronary artery disease and heart failure. He can interpret ECG, echocardiography, and stress tests. He can help in hypertension management and lipid control. He can treat arrhythmias and conduction disorders. He also does interventional procedures, including angioplasty and stenting (where applicable). He can help in heart valve disease assessment and management. He can provide preventive cardiology and risk factor modification.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. K. Shobana is a Dental Surgeon specializing in oral health and dental care. She is skilled in preventive dentistry and provides oral hygiene education. She can do restorative treatments such as fillings and crowns. She can handle periodontal problems such as gum diseases and periodontitis. She can do root canal treatment.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

Faculty of Medicine

Professional Bio:

Dr. Ilir Sharka is a Cardiologist. He can diagnose and manage heart diseases such as coronary artery disease and heart failure. He can interpret ECG, echocardiography, and stress tests. He can help in hypertension management and lipid control. He can treat arrhythmias and conduction disorders. He also does interventional procedures, including angioplasty and stenting (where applicable). He can help in heart valve disease assessment and management. He can provide preventive cardiology and risk factor modification.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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