Unless you're in the middle of some strenuous activity, shortness of breath is often a warning sign that there's something wrong with your heart or lungs. If you're experiencing shortness of breath, board-certified interventional cardiologists Gabriel Todd Faz, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and Kiran Mangalpally, MD, at Mission Heart & Vascular in Mission, Texas, can help. They provide expert diagnosis and treatment for cardiovascular causes of shortness of breath. Call the office or use the online form to book your appointment today.
Shortness of breath — medically known as dyspnea — can happen in certain situations, like if you're engaging in strenuous exercise, working in extreme temperatures, or you're at a high altitude where oxygen is scarce.
These types of shortness of breath have clear causes and resolve as soon as the trigger goes. However, there are also a great many medical conditions for which shortness of breath is a symptom.
Heart and lung disorders that can cause severe shortness of breath include:
In fact, shortness of breath is a symptom that's typical of almost every form of heart and lung disease.
You can also experience shortness of breath when you have cancer or if you suffer from severe anxiety and have panic attacks. Some neuromuscular conditions cause shortness of breath, too.
Shortness of breath usually occurs alongside other symptoms, which could include:
The experience of being short of breath can also vary. For instance, you might feel like you're unable to take deep breaths, or you might be struggling to draw any breath at all.
Shortness of breath that isn't due to an obvious cause like strenuous physical activity requires medical attention. This needs to be urgent when shortness of breath comes on suddenly and you're experiencing symptoms like wheezing or chest pain as well.
To diagnose the cause of your shortness of breath, Mission Heart & Vascular conducts a thorough physical exam, goes over your symptoms and medical history, and organizes any diagnostic tests you require.
Mission Heart & Vascular has advanced diagnostic facilities for cardiovascular testing, featuring state-of-the-art technologies like EKG, echocardiography, and ultrasound.
The treatment you need for your shortness of breath depends on the reason for your condition. If the cause is heart-related, Mission Heart & Vascular prepares a personalized treatment plan for you that could include:
If you've been experiencing shortness of breath, contact Mission Heart & Vascular for advice and expert treatment. Call the office or use the online scheduling tool to book an appointment today.