You might be an active person who runs, does Pilates, or exercises regularly, yet suddenly you find yourself winded while carrying groceries up the stairs. What is going on?
"It can be normal," says John Ryan, MD, a cardiologist with University of Utah Health. "This is what we call exertional intolerance. It happens when you elevate your heart suddenly, and your body needs more oxygen."
The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate exercise, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous exercise. That's roughly 30 minutes a day five days a week which has many health benefits including lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke. However, even with regular exercise, it doesn't guarantee you still won't find yourself winded at times.
Climbing stairs is not like walking on flat ground. It’s a lunge-like movement that also fights gravity, making it more strenuous if it’s not part of your routine. Adding lunges or stair machine exercises to your workout may help.
Of course, you should pay attention to the signals your body is sending you. "You may be out of breath because you are out of shape, or because of age," Ryan says. "If it's a common occurrence or persistent, you may want to consider getting more exercise or making lifestyle changes like losing weight to make exertion easier."
So, When Should You Seek Medical Advice on Breathlessness?
If it's impacting your daily activities, it's time to see a doctor.
"If you are avoiding stairs because you always get winded, or you are avoiding walking distances, there may be a problem," Ryan says. "Additionally, if it persists despite your efforts to recondition yourself, then it may not just be age and it could be worth getting evaluated."
A cardiologist can help determine if your breathlessness, also called dyspnea, is caused by a medical condition though stress tests, EKGs, and other diagnostic measures. From there, a treatment plan will help your breathing and reduce the likelihood of breathing problems.
7 Questions for a Cardiologist
On this episode of Seven Questions for a Specialist, cardiologist John Ryan, MD, answers what he thinks is the best—and worst—thing you can do for your heart, why he chose to specialize in cardiology, and what advancements he's most excited about in the field of cardiology.
