Breathless after light exertion

[BellaBlythe]

DH gets breathless easily. Chest seems OK, has had ECG and Echo report 2 years ago. Nothing much wrong except Atrial Fib for about 15 years at least.
Doctor says recheck on heart and then we will look at Lungs in detail and check for sponginess.
Any ideas and any experience of similar anyone. I am spending time on Google and NHS site.

Has he had his bloods checked recently, and what were they in relation to the lab ranges?

Bloods have been checked as part of 6 monthly check on general meds. I do not have the results just general remark: Its OK no need to change anything.
Another blood test appt has been made to investigate heart more.

It still would be good to check. Some results are only just inside the ranges so the GP will mark it as okay but his body could be saying its not, eg ferritin range can be 13 - 150. If DH is 15 the GP would say he's fine, but you need to be 70 for healthy hair growth iyswim. If he has the NHS app it might be on there.

I mention ferritin as that is one of the ones that can cause breathlessnes, chest pain and palpitations. But so can others eg B12 and folate.

Thanks for the info @LittleGreenDragons I will investigate getting the App. Not the worlds best family at new technology. Next Google will be 'ferritin'.

Some people are fine with ranges slightly outside the norm but for others, they can really struggle even though they're technically within the heathy range.

As well as ferritin he should have his B12, folate and calcium levels checked.

Does he have a good diet overall?

Yes. Obviously get a full work up through cardiologist and Pulmonologist. But for me, I have this as well. It took about two years to start getting better. And now I can exercise again. My belief is that it is the aftermath of Covid. I did recover fully from Covid and did not think I had long Covid. But then this gradually came on. Is he getting oxygen fine? medicine.yale.edu/news-article/despite-recovering-from-covid-19-shortness-of-breath-persists/

Blood clot on the lungs? Insist on a CT to rule that out.

Ferritin isn't the same thing as iron in your body. Instead, ferritin is a protein that stores iron, releasing it when your body needs it. Ferritin usually lives in your body's cells, with very little actually circulating in your blood.

If your ferritin is low then your iron store is low, possibly anaemic.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/iron-deficiency-anaemia/

Low B12 and folate can also cause breathlessness. Check how close to end of range he is. He might only need extra over the counter vitamins to bump him up.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b12-or-folate-deficiency-anaemia/symptoms/

That is not to say he hasn't got something totally different but these are very easy and quick things to cross off the list. Doctors are too fixed on numbers rather than different body types, fitness etc.

Thanks for your replies, We eat a good general diet, he has not smoked for a long time, 15 years. He was very active, DIY and some sport. Had a serious operation after injury to back. Just did not pick up from that.
Anemia is ruled out after bloods. Potassium and sodium levels were balanced and are regularly checked.

Long shot, but has he developed asthma?

I also have Afib, and it was first diagnosed because I became quite breathless.

Has he been for a cardio check recently and/or does he check his heart rate on a device like Apple watch? Is his Afib stable, it can sometimes go a bit haywire and it may not be noticeable to him, but a fast heart rate or an erratic one can cause shortness of breath.

That would be my starting point. I'm treated and yet occasionally become quite breathless if the heart rate increases above 100 bpms. I don't always feel it though! I have emergency meds to take in the event of an extended episode of tachycardia (rapid heart rate).

Just a thought since you mentioned Afib.