Here's When You Should Be Concerned About Shortness of Breath

We all experience shortness of breath from time to time. Maybe you’re hurrying up a flight of stairs or carrying something heavy. It’s normal to feel a little winded when you’re exerting yourself.

But if you notice shortness of breath with even minor activity, it could signal that you need medical attention. Fortunately, David Bolon, MD, and our team at Manhattan Integrative Cardiovascular can help at our office in Midtown East Manhattan, New York City. 

To start, we built this quick guide to help you understand when shortness of breath warrants a trip to the doctor. If the below sounds like you, you can visit our office for a consultation with Dr. Bolon. Here, he can help you figure out what’s causing your shortness of breath.

It’s time to make an appointment if you notice these two things:

Persistent shortness of breath

As we mentioned, many people get short of breath with exertion. You shouldn’t have this sensation when you’re simply walking around, though, and certainly not when you’re sitting. 

If you notice that you’re short of breath a lot of the time, it could indicate that something else is going on. It could be asthma or anxiety attacks, or it could be a symptom of a cardiovascular condition. 

If your shortness of breath seems to be getting worse with time, the issue could very likely be coming from a problem with your heart. 

When you have persistent shortness of breath, you should also see if location plays a role. If you always experience it in a specific location — like at home or at work — it could be a carbon monoxide leak. 

Other symptoms

If your shortness of breath comes with other symptoms, don’t wait to make an appointment with Dr. Bolon. Some other warning signs might include:

• Trouble breathing when you lie flat
• Fatigue
• Wheezing
• Foot and ankle swelling
• A persistent cough
• Irregular heartbeat

All of these could indicate that your shortness of breath comes from heart failure. As its name suggests, this condition can be life-threatening. You should act on it right away if you have even a few of these symptoms. 

Ultimately, when you have other symptoms with your shortness of breath, your body is signaling that something isn’t right. Here at our office, Dr. Bolon can use a wide range of diagnostic tools to figure out what’s going on, whether that’s heart failure or something else. That might include:

• Lab tests
• An echocardiogram (EKG)
• Imaging studies
• A stress test

Long story short, persistent shortness of breath is a cause for concern — especially if you’re experiencing other symptoms. To get the care you need, call us at (716) 303-4738 or book your appointment online.