DEAR DR. GOTT: I had open-heart surgery five years ago and have been gasping for air ever since. I have talked to other people who had the procedure, and they are the same way. I’d like to know if there is a medicine I can take to eliminate this.
DEAR READER: I would be more comfortable if you indicated your surgery was performed recently, as five years is much too long for symptoms to continue and for your quality of life to be affected.
There are a number of possibilities for shortness of breath (SOB), including scar tissue; stent, bypass grafting or valve failure; a side effect of a prescribed medication; reflux; hypothyroidism; congestive heart failure; and lung disease.
Perhaps you are not taking your anti-coagulant correctly, or you are on a medication with SOB listed as a side effect. If this were the case, a simple medication change might be all that is necessary. However, at this stage your symptoms will likely continue unless you take the necessary steps.
There is no cause for alarm, but I recommend you make an appointment with your primary care physician and/or cardiologist to determine the basis for your complaint. Perhaps additional lab or X-ray testing is appropriate. If you fail to obtain a satisfactory explanation, request a referral to another physician or specialist who can put the pieces together.
Readers who would like related information can send for my Health Report “Coronary Artery Disease” by sending a self-addressed, stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 U.S. check or money order made payable to Dr. Peter Gott and forwarded to P.O. Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039-0433. Be sure to mention the title when writing, or print an order form from my website’s direct link: www.AskDrGottMD.com/order_form.pdf.
