2. Shortness of Breath Without Exertion
Breathing requires a coordinated effort between your lungs and your heart. Your heart pumps oxygen-depleted blood to your lungs, where it picks up fresh oxygen to circulate throughout your body. If your heart cannot pump efficiently because a coronary artery is narrowing, blood can back up in the veins that take blood through the lungs. This fluid congestion makes it difficult for your lungs to expand fully, leading to a feeling of breathlessness.
You might associate shortness of breath with strenuous exercise, like climbing a steep flight of stairs. But cardiac-related shortness of breath often happens when you are resting or engaging in very light activity. You might be sitting in your favorite chair reading a book, lying in bed trying to fall asleep, or simply having a normal conversation when you suddenly feel as though you cannot draw a satisfying breath. Some women describe the sensation as feeling like they have just run a marathon, despite having been completely stationary.
If you find yourself gasping for air, needing to prop yourself up on multiple pillows at night just to breathe comfortably, or feeling a strange tightness in your chest that accompanies the breathlessness, you must seek medical attention. Shortness of breath that arises independently of physical exertion is a major red flag for cardiovascular distress.
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