Any doctors? Is this lack of cardio fitness or am I on course for a cardiac issue?

Walking up a steep hill is really difficult, most people would struggle with that.

You don't need to see a doctor, you just need to improve your fitness.

If you have a sedentary job and only go walking on flat roads, I am not surprised that a steep hill felt challenging. I broke a bone and had to stop playing netball for months, when I started playing again I was out of breath and felt unfit, my job is very sedentary too. You can lose it quickly, especially if you have a sedentary job. If you are concerned I would talk to a doctor, but I wouldn't completely rule out that it might just be a lack of fitness.

Out of breath = breathing really heavy and really quickly and your heart's off like the clappers but no discomfort.

Short of breath = feeling like you can't suck enough air into your lungs or there isn't enough space in your lungs for the amount of air you're trying to suck in - it feels tight and uncomfortable and you feel like if you could have a good cough that would sort it.

When I found out I had an overactive thyroid this was one of
my biggest symptoms, I used to be able to walk up flights of steps or steep hills without issue ( despite not really doing much cardio) and then all of a sudden I couldn’t and had to stop as felt super tired and winded almost. A visit to the doctors and a blood test might help?

Have you had your vitamin B12 checked?

I'm not a doctor, but this could easily be anaemia. I'd say it's worth checking that as its a simple blood test. I have a medical condition that means I get anaemic easily and how easily I can walk up hills is the best way I've found to guess my haemoglobin status.

Crikey I get out of breath just turning over in bed. My dad died of congestive heart failure but not until he was 71. I’m 41

Are you regularly walking at pace up hills? If not, of course, it won’t be easy. Also, it sounds like in one instance, you were drunk. That will absolutely have an impact on your heart rate and respiration. Is drinking rare or a weekly/ more regular thing?

I’d start putting in time to build your stamina up. If you don’t use it, you lose it. I was diagnosed with cancer last year. It meant I was able to do pretty much nothing in terms of exercise. I was regularly doing 20 mile hilly hikes pre-diagnosis. After a year of no exercise, I finished treatment, but was winded and had to sit down and rest just walking a mile. But a month of regular walking 1-4 miles at a time, and I’m back to mostly normal. I mean, I couldn’t yet do 20 miles, but I can walk 4 again without having to stop and rest.

@Mollytohiding I am not a doctor, but get checked out. I was, and am slim and fit. While this is anecdotal, at 67, I experienced a shortness of breath when going uphill on a road I use every day. Not panting, just a distinct intake that wasn't there before and immediately disappeared. I went to have it checked and nearly broke the bloody BP machine. My BP was though the roof after a lifetime of being on the low but OK side. I had an immediate EKG which showed an electrical issue which has a high correlation with cardiac issues.

Many more tests later and a mild dilated cardiomyopathy was identified. I'll be on medication for this for the rest of my life. I can do everything I used to do. The symptoms have never returned.

BTW, if you have an EKG, take a photo of the print out. It was the one thing all doctors wanted to look at as it showed the electrical fault.

@Mollytohiding When you say "got winded" do you mean out of breath or short of breath/tight chested?

The former would be normal if you've let your cardiorespiratory work slide, the latter indicates a problem.

Unexpectedly - when he was exercising or general day to day?

Slowly focus on being less sedentary - find a route of a set length eg 3 miles. Walk ot every day. At first it might take you an hour - but you'll soon be around in 40 mins which is manageable in your day IF you make it happen etc.

My cousin around age 50 had treatment for narrowed arteries and the only sign of a problem was him getting unexpectedly out of breath. I would definitely get checked out by a doctor.

Isn't it normal to get out of breath when exercising? Otherwise it's not really exercising, is it?

Very possibly but reading your OP it sounds like you should have a good baseline fitness wise with years of exercise behind you, or so I would have thought. I just think that at our age it’s best not to take any chances.

Is it just when you’re walking and talking? I only notice it if I am chatting to someone.

I’m mid 50s and I’ve done the same exercise wise, this last year very little cardio and more walking/weights. However, I am surrounded by hills and haven’t noticed myself getting out of breath whilst walking up them - I definitely think this as PPs have already suggested, that it’s worth a discussion with your GP.

I dropped cardio pretty much too in favour of weights. Because, menopause, bone health, etc. I get it!

I find cardio drops off quite dramatically if you stop or cut down. It does come back quickly though. There is a steep set of steps quite close to me. I use it as a benchmark for my cardio fitness. You know, how I feel when I stride up it at pace. If I feel I need to stop, etc

Yes. I won’t go into details but do go and see your GP.