Shortness of breath needs another look

June 24, 2011 By

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.
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Fit female questions shortness of breath

June 11, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am concerned about blocked arteries. I am 60 years old, 5-feet-5, and weigh 115 pounds. I exercise three times a week, do 400 stairs a day, and walk two miles. My total cholesterol is 180, and the good/bad ratios are within good limits. I don’t have any problems with my blood pressure. I have an annual physical exam and blood workups.

However, lately, when doing my stairs, I experience occasional shortness of breath. I have a family history of stroke through my mother and father. Could I possibly have some type of blockage, even though all signs and tests appear normal? Should I request a stress test at my next physical?
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Stent implant leaves reader breathless

February 22, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: In May 2006, I had a stent implanted in my heart. Since that time, I have had shortness of breath. I also occasionally have to stop and take one or several deep breaths while doing a variety of activities such as bending over, carrying light loads (up to about 10 pounds), going up and down stairs and many more.

When I visited my heart specialist following my surgery and told him about the situation, he would only say it was anxiety. He continued to ignore my list of incidences and maintained it was anxiety. I have had anxiety before on various occasions, such as when my car was totaled, but I never had to stop and take deep breaths. I explained that this only began after my stent surgery and that i thought it was something other than anxiety.
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