What Causes Shortness Of Breath After Sitting For Over Half An Hour?

Posted on Sat, 22 Nov 2014

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

Sat, 22 Nov 2014 Answered on

Wed, 10 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : After sitting for more than 30 minutes, Within 30 seconds of walking, I feel out of breath. If I stop for 15 seconds, then walk on, I have no more symptoms. I can do moderate work for an hour afterwards.
I think my BP takes a big drop, because I can't find a pulse when out of breath. I do not get any dizziness. If I don't take that brief rest, The results are the same. I am on 40 mg propranalol twice a day for last 8 years. I have had this problem for several years. The beta blocker did put an end to missing beats. I am an 82 year male. Do I still have a problem?

Answered by Dr. Harshal Vora (18 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do your investigations as per my advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hello welcome to HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
Feeling breathlessness during walking has 2 - 3 possibilities..

1.Your blood pressure or pulse might have been excessively reduced due to overdoasge of propranolol.

2.Your pumping capacity of heart may get reduced. So that you can't bear much exercion.

3.Your heart rhythm abnormalities may produce similar symptoms for which propranolol has been started previously.

However if your blood pressure or pulse will be low then you should feel dizy.

My advice to you is -

Go for 2 d echocardiography of heart which will show how your heart is functioning like pumping, relaxation, valves etc

Ask your doctor about 24 hrs ambulatory blood pressure monitoring machine and 24 hrs ecg monitoring which will get you every possible idea where the problem lies actually.

Avoid excessive salt and water intake meanwhile.

Any further questions are always welcome. Feel free to ask.
Thank you.
Have a nice day.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T