Shortness Of Breath Specialist

Shortness of breath occurs when you have a feeling of not getting enough air in your lungs. It might feel like intense chest tightening, breathlessness, breathing difficulty, or suffocation. Numerous causes can contribute to shortness of breath; some may become a serious issue if left untreated. If symptoms are persistent, Shortness of Breath Evaluation and Treatment helps identify the underlying cause and guide proper care.

A healthy person might experience shortness of breath in hot weather, at high altitudes, or during strenuous exercise. Other reasons for breathing difficulty can include:

• Obesity
• Asthma
• An allergic reaction
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Anxiety attacks
• Pneumonia
• Pulmonary embolism
• Lung disease
• Pulmonary hypertension

If you experience symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, weakness, or discomfort in your arms, jaw, neck, or back, it could be a sign of a heart attack. In such a situation, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention. Head to the nearest emergency room or call 911 without delay to receive the necessary medical care and evaluation.

They might recommend one of the following diagnostic testing procedures to detect or rule out specific medical problems:

• Blood tests
• Asthma testing
• Allergy tests
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Echocardiogram
• Stress test
• Cardiac catheterization
• CT scans
• MRIs
• Holter monitoring

A Holter monitor is a portable device you wear for about 24-72 hours. It can detect and record heart irregularities that don’t appear during traditional EKGs.

The experts at New York Medical Vascular Care might recommend you undergo multiple diagnostic procedures to get to the root cause of shortness of breath and develop a treatment plan.

Your personalized treatment for shortness of breath depends on its type, severity, and cause. Your New York Medical Vascular Care provider might recommend weight loss, altering your diet, other healthy lifestyle changes, taking certain medications, using an inhaler, allergy treatments, additional diagnostic testing, or undergoing a minor surgical procedure.

Seeing a health care professional at the first sign of shortness of breath is ideal, as it could be a sign of a serious problem.

If you or a loved one experiences shortness of breath, see the experts at New York Medical Vascular Care. Schedule a Shortness of Breath Evaluation and Treatment with our team to get answers and relief as soon as possible.