What is causing her breathlessness?

[ChampionWorrier21]

My aunt is mid 60s and for the past few months has started getting breathless on exertion, mainly when walking upstairs.

She is a little overweight, mostly carrying fat around her middle. She thinks that’s the cause but I don’t think she’s big enough for that to be it (she’s about 2 stone overweight max).

She’s had bloods done which I don’t think have shown much. The Dr is thinking possible angina. She’s booked to see cardiology and that appointment has been moved forward since having a chest X-ray (the results of which she doesn’t know yet).

She’s starting to worry it’s something awful like COPD. She did used to smoke but gave up nearly 15 years ago.

The only other thing I’ve been thinking is she’s been suffering from heartburn/reflux a lot the past year - could she have something like a hiatus hernia that’s putting pressure on her chest??

I have heart problems which started with breathlessness on moving. If they are fast tracking her cardiology it suggests that. DON'T PANIC. It will be called heart failure which is bad marketing. All it means is there is a problem with the heart, it is not failing. DON"T GOOGLE search Pumping Marvellous. They have loads of information and a facebook support group. I really hope I'm wrong as its not an easy cure but medication is brilliant. In a lot of case lifestyle change is enough. The biggest thing I wish I had known earlier is that looking after your mental health is as important as your physical. The support group is for family carers and the diagnosed.

Thank you @nixnjj
Can I ask what caused your issues? And how does it affect you everyday? Did you have other symptoms?

I’m wondering what they could’ve seen on her X-ray that had caused them to speed up her cardiology appointment?

I will look up Pumping Marvellous now.

The person I know in his early 70s who had increased breathlessness thought it was his asthma getting worse, but it turned out it was his heart that was the problem.

@nixnjj i just had a quick look on Pumping Marvellous - gosh, they really need to give it a name other than heart “failure” don’t they??!

The only symptoms she has are breathlessness on exertion. She does get swollen ankles occasionally but only when she’s been walking loads.

@Characterbunting were they put on medication?

If it does turn out to be that her heart is not working as effectively as it could then there are several reasons why that could be happening and therefore lots of different possible treatments - again, lots of info on Pumping Marvellous. this is one where it's really hard to predict or guess what might happen next.

My DM has had the same breathlessness and heartburn recently found out it’s her heart, has cardiologist appointment on 4/1/24. She’s a bit older 73 but generally still feels well.

Thanks @olderbutwiser - nothing worse than waiting for appointments and driving yourself mad considering all the different possibilities.

@kkneat yes, my aunt feels well otherwise. Hope your DM is ok.