Shortness of breath and heart failure
Depending on the stage of heart failure, shortness of breath may occur:
- With exertion or exercise.
- At rest.
- While lying down (orthopnea). This often is relieved by sitting up or standing.
- At night and may be accompanied by waking up coughing and/or wheezing, rapid heart rate, and a feeling of being suffocated (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea).
| Author: | Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: December 18, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology | |
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