Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea)

Shortness of breath, called dyspnea, is normal if you’re exerting yourself in a vigorous activity or if you’re in an environment with high altitudes or extreme temperatures. But if you experience difficult or labored breathing in other situations, you could have a medical condition involving your heart.

With heart failure, for example, your heart does not fill and empty to full capacity. This puts a strain on your lungs and can cause shortness of breath. Damage to the heart muscle could be caused by a heart attack or other conditions.

Symptoms that could signal heart failure include:

• Difficulty breathing when lying down
• Needing to prop up the head of the bed with pillows so you can breathe
• Being kept awake at night with shortness of breath or coughing
• Swollen ankles or legs
• Shortness of breath or unusual fatigue during an activity
• Fluid weight gain