Suggest Treatment For Shortness Of Breath And Cough

Posted on Thu, 9 Apr 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 9 Apr 2015 Answered on

Wed, 29 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Why do I get short of breath after walking stairs and then cough? I have asthma and am overweight. (5'4", 179lbs). My past heart tests have been excellent (over a year ago). Also my lung tests have come back normal in the past and I am seeing pulmonologist soon. I am trying to be healthier so I take the stairs now, but I cough after I take them.

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Should repeat cardiac check up....

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I understand your concerns.

You are reporting to have:
- short of breath after walking stairs
- followed by cough
- a personal history of asthma
- and to be overweight

As you have had your last cardiac check up over a year ago, I highly recommend to run another cardiac check up for this year:
- ECG
- echocardiogram
- stress test
- Holter monitoring

If everything will result normal, then, your symptoms are due to being overweight and asthma. Should discuss with pulmonologist then, and to run respiratory function test to evaluate asthma and change therapy.

All the best!
Dr.Benard

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar