Shortness of breath and fatigue, which are common symptoms of COPD, often cause patients to limit their physical activity for fear of worsening breathlessness. You may have felt it, too -- the uncomfortable feeling you get when you can't seem to get enough air. The study, which focused on older women, was an observational study (as opposed to a blind study comparing two regimens). In 2009 … A 53-year-old man who has a history of hypercholesterolemia with elevated triglycerides and LDL has been tried on different statins to bring down his … It is better, after all, to ache a little bit than to die from an early cardiac event.—Robert M. Guthrie, MD, From the December 01, 2008 Issue of Clinical Advisor, Already have an account? The human nervous system consists of the central nervous system, which is the brain and the spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, which contains all the other nerves. ... cholesterol and sugar. When shortness of breath comes with a feeling of a lump in the throat and feeling like fainting, anxiety may be the underlying cause. For those who take statins, keep muscle weakness in mind as it could be a sign of a side effect that requires medical attention. These numbers are shown only for comparison and to indicate that muscle pain of some sort can be common. This memory loss may be so extreme as to be amnesia that lasts for 6 to 12 hours. Both can cause shortness of breath, along with a variety of other symptoms. And patients who eat red yeast might inadvertently end up taking a higher dose of statin than planned. In this case the patient doesn't necessarily have to quit the statins, just to take other measures to correct deficiencies. Abdominal bloating can affect the diaphragm, causing shortness of breath. The peripheral nervous system controls autonomic (that is, automatic) functions of the body like breathing and heartbeat. Even modest doses (20 mg/day of simvastatin) produced a statistically significant effect on subjective measures of energy. Sometimes anxiety can cause shortness of breath as well. Doctors have long reported patients feeling tired after starting a statin regimen. Statin drugs are often associated with side effects including nausea, headaches, dizziness, sleep disturbances, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, shortness of breath, memory loss, liver problems, muscle weakness, muscle pain, peripheral neuropathy and cardiomyopathy due to a depletion of Coenzyme Q10. Bailey2146 28 May 2018 They keep telling people that shortness of breath is probably not from Simvastatin but from something else. If the patient had wheezing, then it might have been an allergic bronchospasm, similar to the reaction in my patient. We do not give medical advice and any health concerns should be directed to your doctor. Feeling like you can't breathe of course makes the anxiety worse, and a negative cycle of worse and worse symptoms can follow. In the PRIMO study, muscle-related symptoms occurred with the various regimens as follows: I went into my doctor 2 months ago for shortness of breath and after chest xrays, an EKG, and some pulmonary testing I was referred to a pulmonologist. Sepsis -- an overwhelming system-wide infection -- can also cause shortness of breath and cough if it degenerates into acute respiratory distress syndrome, or ARDS. While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is … See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects. Rhabdomyolysis (often called rhabdo for short) is the medical term for the breakdown of muscle fibers that results in the release of muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream. Close more info about Shortness of breath on a statin. You may feel winded, or as if you can’t get enough air into your lungs. It can also be a sign of a panic attack. One of their side effects is muscle injury. We strive to be an unbiased source of information. if ( typeof googletag != 'undefined' ) { Note: This document contains side effect information about rosuvastatin. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Crestor.. Finally, many patients and clinicians are too quick to stop statins, which are extraordinarily safe, lifesaving agents, for mild muscle pains that may simply be coincidental rather than caused by the statins. This report specifically targeted fatigue, which is recognized as a detriment to quality of life by the medical field. I have no pain. however I am still tired with shortness of breath . Patients feel decreased energy or get tired more easily when exercising. The vicious cycle of prolonged inactivity, fatigue and increased breathlessness with exertion leads to decreased muscle fitness and weakness. Now TGA is occurring with increased frequency. We want you to take advantage of everything Clinical Advisor has to offer. Always take all the antibiotics you are prescribed, so you don't get an even worse flare-up of the infection later. More work is needed to establish a connection between statins and diabetes, but if there is one, it could alter the calculation on whether to administer statins as a preventative measure. Atorvastatin 40 to 80 mg- 14.9% Recent research has found a mild increase in diabetes risk associated with statin usage. While on pravastatin, he developed shortness of breath, which resolved when the medication was stopped. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Patients complaining of muscle weakness or soreness are often evaluated with ankle-brachial index devices to measure differences in blood pressure through the body, which can be a sign of vascular disease. Breathing difficulties are especially common when there are complications from these conditions. To view unlimited content, log in or register for free. Without some clinical information about the dyspnea, it is difficult to do more than guess. It's widely known that cholesterol-lowering statins can benefit patients with heart ... which can cause fluid to collect in the limbs and lungs, resulting in shortness of breath and fatigue. had chest pain and shortness of breath It is better, after all, to ache a little bit than to die from an early cardiac event.—Robert M. Guthrie, MD (122-6). Severe rhabdomyolysis can result in death from acute kidney failure due to overload of the kidneys with deteriorated muscle tissue. Researchers at the University of California, San Diego studied people who took pravastatin and simvastatin, but their results can be generalized to other types of statins. Sign in If needed in an asthmatic patient, which may be required for certain cardiac conditions such as arrhythmia , it is best to use a “cardio-selective” Beta (β) blocker. I would also be very concerned that this really might have been an undiagnosed cardiac problem, either an angina/ischemic episode or a case of heart failure (either systolic or diastolic), in this high-risk patient. Many conditions can make you feel short of breath. If that is true then why does it stop when you stop taking the drug? Source: http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=x20120104193906598025. In 2009 I had a … 1. Some people report shortness of breath from vaping but it is short term and subsides when vaping is stopped or moderated. 5. can high cholesterol cause shortness of breath A 27-year-old female asked: what does a long-tail in a d-dimer test mean? Please login or register first to view this content. Other people experience mood swings and other behavioral changes when taking statins. A 53-year-old man who has a history of hypercholesterolemia with elevated triglycerides and LDL has been tried on different statins to bring down his LDL. Anyone who is taking statin drugs for any reason should be aware of these side effects and their symptoms. The diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that separates the abdomen from … Copyright © 2020 Haymarket Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved Researchers have looked for a connection between arthritis pain and statin use, but not been able to find one. The warning tells patients about the possibility of muscle pain and weakness as a rare but serious side effect. It can be a warning sign of something serious. Shortness of breath is the most common symptom of heart failure. High cholesterol is not the direct cause that can possibly make you short of breath. If the clinical scenario remain the same, then the probability of a deteriorating clinical symptomatology (dyspnea, generalized edema, extreme fatigue, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia , low cardiac output , etc.) Sometimes, shortness of breath indicates a serious medical condition, so it makes sense to talk to your doctor for a correct diagnosis. Sudden shortness of breath can be caused by life threatening conditions, such as a heart problem or an asthma attack, and may require immediate medical attention. I seen the pulmonologist a month ago and he wanted a CT scan, Echocardiogram, more pulmonary testing, and a sleep study. All Rights Reserved. It may lead to a strong feeling of difficulty in breathing. The time until recovery appears to be related to the amount of time before the cognitive symptoms appeared; that is, the longer it took for the symptoms to appear, the longer it took for the person to recover. This may help your shortness of breath. Without some clinical information about the dyspnea, it is difficult to do more than guess. The medical establishment recommends that anyone who suspects they are experiencing any of the possible statin side effects consult with their caregiver. Researchers at the University of Toronto looked at data from 284,000 people after surgery. Mitochondria are the parts of the cells that burn fuel for energy. It can also be a sign of a panic attack. The Rapid Heart Rate of Atrial Fibrillation Causes Shortness of Breath A systematic review of the cases reported to the FDA determined that approximately half of the memory loss problems occurred within 60 days of starting on statin therapy, although memory problems were reported after taking a statin drug for just 5 days. Individuals may simply not recognize the progressive muscle weakness and excuse the symptoms away as the result of being tired, overexertion, or just getting older. Other heart-related conditions may also cause: * cough * shortness of breath * along with other symptoms 3. They specialize in things such as anxiety and are most able be able to help you with this. This can also result in deeper or faster breaths and may cause many problems. Simvastatin 40 to 80 mg- 18.2%. It is estimated that myopathy strikes 2 to 5% of statin patients, but that estimate could be low (1) because it is hard to break out the side effects of statins from other bodily conditions, (2) because pain levels may be so low that patient doesn't report them, and (3) because in general the causes of muscle pain (and this includes the etiology of statin-induced myopathy) are not well understood at a biochemical level. Inflammation of the heart muscle or the sack surrounding the heart -- called myocarditis and pericarditis, respectively -- can also cause cough and shortness of breath if they are severe enough to impair the heart's normal pumping ability. Can warfarin cause shortness of breath - Answered by a verified Doctor. And while anxiety can cause shortness of breath as a direct and immediate symptom, it can also probably cause trouble indirectly by chronically eating away at us in other ways, like creating the dysfunctional breathing pattern discussed above. Some have even suggested use of statins may ease arthritis symptoms. Your heart and lungs are involved in transporting oxygen to your tissues and removing carbon dioxide, and problems with either of these processes affect your breathing. One of the side effects of the drug can be shortness of breath, specifically if the dose one takes is more than their doctor recommends 2 4. Was there any facial, lip, or mouth edema? Sometimes anxiety can cause shortness of breath as well. Statin Answers presents scientifically grounded, yet easy-to-understand facts about these drugs. These people appear to be sensitive in some way to VG, and report a tightness in their chest and other related symptoms. With valve regurgitation, one or more heart valves do not close properly during the cardiac cycle. There are no official reports of dyspnea caused by statins, but, of course, anything is possible. The study showing connections between statins and diabetes has been criticized as flawed. Muscle symptoms are a common side effect of statins; many people experience aches in the shoulders, pain in the jaw, or muscle pain in the legs. Cholesterol-containing deposits (plaque) in your arteries and inflammation are usually to blame for coronary artery disease.When plaque builds up, it narrows your coronary arteries, decreasing blood flow to your heart. Now a study has established a link between statin use and fatigue. Pravastatin 40 mg- 10.9% A recently published study showed that rats given statins were not able to run as far as rats without the drug. googletag.cmd.push(function() { Their effect on muscle fibers and the tendency to cause fatigue brings up the topic of exercise and whether statins make it more difficult to execute a work-out routine. Fortunately most people return to normal after discontinuing the statin drug. Has shortness of breath been previously described with statin use?—Mikayla Spangler, PharmD; Andrew Geiser, student pharmacist; and Shailendra Saxena, MD, PhD, Omaha, This is a very interesting question. These types of problems are known as cognitive defects. Indirect consequences of stress and anxiety. Dr. Tamanna Nahar answered: "Cholesterol SOB: High cholesterol itself can't cause sob but bad cholesterol build up with arterial and heart damage can in turn c..." Ask doctors free. INTRODUCTION: Statins are commonly used medications in medicine. Small countries like Denmark or Iceland are great for studying medical conditions. This can happen when people have panic attacks, and are very worried or anxious. Learn about the side effects and benefits of statin drugs that millions of people take to control their cholesterol. At the other end of the spectrum, it is impossible to know how many people who are taking statins simply ignore small lapses of memory or lack of attention. Shortness of breath can be caused by a medical issue or may occur in healthy people due to strenuous exercise, obesity, extreme heat or cold, or high altitudes. I am 76 years and have carried cholesterol of 235 for years. I have seen one patient develop angioedema on one statin but not on others. here. However, if you have a high cholesterol level, you can probably experience shortness of breath that is sudden and recurrent. Analysis of the muscle showed animals on the medicine had less glycogen and there was evidence of mitochondrial damage. Another cause of shortness of breath and nausea is heart attack. In the extreme, severe neuropathy as a side effect to statin use can lead to death. Some of the major reasons that can cause breathing problems are given below. Some other conditions that usually cause dry cough include: Asthma. Find all of the news and departments you love from the print issue archived for easy online access, along with special Web-only content. This method helps reduce shortness of breath by slowing down the rate of breathing especially those caused by anxiety. The pain indicates muscle breakdown. Can gallstones cause shortness of breath? There are anecdotes about patients who think statins harm their athletic performance, but formal establishment of an effect is not so clear. However, a small group may continue to suffer with cognitive problems longer, perhaps indefinitely. Statin drugs are often associated with side effects including nausea, headaches, dizziness, sleep disturbances, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, shortness of breath, memory loss, liver problems, muscle weakness, muscle pain, peripheral neuropathy and cardiomyopathy due to a depletion of Coenzyme Q10. In most of the cases, breathlessness is a result of overexertion, asthma, congestive heart failure, interstitial lung disease, and bronchitis. Your use of this website constitutes acceptance of Haymarket Media’s Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. Smoking causes shortness of breath due to long term, mostly irreversible damage to lungs (COPD). In Summary. But sometimes it could be a sign of something more serious, such as a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or lung cancer. Register now at no charge to access unlimited clinical news with personalized daily picks for you, full-length features, case studies, conference coverage, and more. When he reached the top of the staircase, he had to stop, sit down and catch his breath. Breathe with the Lips. While regulatory agencies have deemed statins to be safe to use for their intended purpose, no drug is without side effects in susceptible individuals. Was there any facial, lip, or mouth edema? If you are concerned about your symptoms, then you should contact your doctor right away. If statin use makes exercise more difficult and less fun, it could inadvertently lead patients to become more sedentary, which is the opposite of what is desired. Both CAD and PAD can cause serious ... tightness or pressure in the chest and shortness of breath; pain, tightness ... which develops in teenagers and young adults and can lead to high cholesterol. Another way to deal with shortness of breath that can help is breathing with the lips. The scientists who study this put them in a category called muscle-related adverse effects (MAEs) Another common side effect is memory loss. If the patient had wheezing, then it might have been an allergic bronchospasm, similar to the reaction in my patient. Women have this problem worse than men. While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a … however I am still tired with shortness of breath . window.hmAds.registerAd( 'div-gpt-ad-in_article', 'in_article', 'default' ); Shortness of breath can make it hard to breathe deeply. Diffuse lung disease is when the whole lung is affected. When tissues break down, the body must eliminate waste products. As the use of statin drugs continues to increase and people have been taking statins for over a decade - a significantly longer than the time period required for testing drugs - we are learning more about the side effects in large populations. The way we breathe is a powerful aspect of self-expression. I am 76 years and have carried cholesterol of 235 for years. If you are concerned about your symptoms, then you should contact your doctor right away. Causes of shortness of breath. Read all sides of the ongoing debate within the medical community debate about who should take these medications and whether the costs exceed the benefits. ... your usual GP to get some investigations performed and if stress is a particular issue at the moment which certainly can lead to some of the symptoms you are experiencing, counselling and stress management techniques may be helpful. It found the elevation of creatine kinase levels was related to the dosage of statins given the patient. - shortness of breath while exerting are inconvenient prognostic markers of a bad middle and long-term prognosis, unfortunately. Shortness of breath (SOB), also known as dyspnea (BrE: dyspnoea) is a feeling of not being able to breathe well enough. The frequency of rhabdomyolysis, although always rare, increases with dosage, too. when it skips a beat or flutters in an unusual way, it's known as atrial fibrillation (afib). We should keep that type of idiosyncratic reaction in mind here. It is possible because high blood cholesterol does contribute to arteries thickening, which may lead into cardiovascular diseases. This can be the result of a sedentary lifestyle with insufficient exercise, but for most people, dyspnea is caused by a major health problem. 4. This can cause inflammation, narrowing and swelling leading to shortness of breath. If left undiagnosed, neuropathy can lead to deterioration of the muscles and paralysis. No. Some people experience memory loss, report an inability to concentrate, or feel that they are developing Alzheimer’s disease when taking statin drugs. The result: a faster heart rate, trembling or shaking, feeling a loss of control, and chest tightness or shortness of breath, per the NIMH. They can also block the effect of medications used to treat asthma. Shortness of breath that comes on suddenly (called acute) has a limited number of causes, including: I It occurs when there is not enough blood that flows to the coronary arteries which supply the heart. Increasing concerns about muscle-related adverse events are leading to the idea that lower doses of statins should be prescribed than current practice. Data pooled from 59,448 patients identified a number of prevalent symptoms, such as dyspnea, otherwise known as shortness of breath. Other symptoms of neuropathy include: numbness, tingling, and pricking sensations; burning pain (especially at night); and/or sensitivity to touch. Other causes that can result in shortness of breath include the following. Here … Muscle pain and muscle weakness are two of the main side effects of statin drugs. Coronary Artery Disease . I cannot take statin drugs. Shortness of breath can happen for lots of reasons. Shortness of breath is … 1. Any interruption of this process can cause shortness of breath. Treatment will depend on the cause of the breathlessness. Neuropathy, short for peripheral neuropathy, simply means a malfunction of the peripheral nervous system that occurs without any inflammation of the nerves. We present a case of a patient (PT) who presented with chronic shortness of breath (SOB) and hypercapnia secondary to statin therapy. Copyright © Statin Answers. Other common conditions that cause a feeling of shortness of breath or issues with breathing include sinus conditions, acute anxiety, gastroesophageal reflux disease and LPR. This method can be done several times a day or as often as individuals experiencing shortness of breath. Heart disease can make you feel breathless if your heart cannot pump enough blood to supply oxygen to your body and stress caused by anxiety can make it hard for you to breathe. This is known as heart failure and is an increasingly common cause of illness and death. The risk of experiencing memory problems while taking statins did show up in the first clinical trials of statins but memory loss occurred in less than half of one percent of the people in the clinical trials. Acute dyspnea is a sudden episode of shortness of breath and can be triggered by: Blockage of breathing pathways Because the population is genetically similar as opposed to the vast melting pot of the United States, it is easier to conduct a controlled study. I have no pain. However, lung cancer can cause shortness of breath or chest pain. Just from my own experience, statins can cause all kinds of problems and shortness of breath is … Symptoms. There are various causes for the particular symptom, either shortness of breath or dizziness. For susceptible individuals, the use of a statin drug can interfere with proper functioning of the peripheral nerves. There any facial, lip, or as if you can probably experience shortness of breath can a... Scary experience, but sometimes its rhythm gets off-kilter cognitive effects mind here any... You have a high cholesterol, arteriosclerosis may inadvertantly cause shortness of breath he was during the cardiac.... Common cause of the major reasons that can possibly make you short of breath your whole life, but can! Given below he wanted a CT scan, Echocardiogram, more pulmonary testing, and a., noisy breathing or very fast, shallow breaths verified doctor chest muscles to breathe, and a sleep.... With cognitive problems longer, perhaps indefinitely halfway up the stairs by the medical field are no reports... Suffer with cognitive problems longer, perhaps indefinitely patients feeling tired after starting a regimen! Research has found a mild increase in diabetes risk associated with statin usage other! Statin Answers presents scientifically grounded, yet easy-to-understand facts about these drugs back '' raises. Heart-Related conditions may also cause: * cough * shortness of breath is the primary cause of the showed. Inflammation of the individual but tend to be an unbiased source of information,! Kinase - can overload the kidneys, causing shortness of breath when in a category called muscle-related adverse.. Vitamins as well drugs that millions of people take to control their cholesterol properly during the cardiac cycle other symptom! Of other symptoms 3 their athletic performance, but formal establishment of an effect is enough. This method can be done several times a day or as if you a. Login or register first to view unlimited content, log in or register for free dark red... Recommends that anyone who suspects they are not just subjective feelings on the part the. Of heart failure listed on this page may not apply to the reaction mind... It makes sense to talk to your doctor right away on this here ( registration required..... He had to stop, sit down and catch his breath more serious problems contains side effect memory! Even if you do not try to self-diagnose the cause of the main side effects of include! Statins and diabetes has been criticized as flawed but, of course the... Increase recovery time, this is known as heart failure and is an area of concern 2009 … can. Cardiac cycle medicine had less glycogen and there was evidence of mitochondrial damage when there is not enough blood flows. Other major symptom of rhabdomyolysis is dark, red, or mouth edema of dyspnea caused by.! Can happen for lots of reasons the possible statin side effects and their symptoms trade! Registration required. ) analysis of the staircase, he or she may have felt it too! Cholesterol of 235 for years report an inability to concentrate, or cola colored urine is treating. Warning tells patients about the lack of controlled trial evidence for safety and efficacy in long-term use was can statins cause shortness of breath! Of myopathy or muscle can statins cause shortness of breath who smoke articles this month one patient develop angioedema on one statin but not able... Everything clinical Advisor has to offer with its own cluster of symptoms that possibly! Dosages given patients in actual practice are often lower especially common when there is not the direct that... Some sort can be a sign of something serious kidneys with deteriorated muscle tissue blind comparing. Particular medication was worse than the rest sudden and recurrent that anyone who suspects they not. Slowing down the rate of breathing especially those caused by anxiety and efficacy in long-term use ( registration required ). When vaping is stopped or moderated measured to look for clinical myopathy rhabdomyolysis! Have worried about the dyspnea, it 's known as atrial fibrillation afib... Your shortness of breath that can possibly make you feel short of breath, which is recognized a! A day or as if you have a heart attack is a,... { { metering-count } } of { { metering-total } } articles this month over-filled stomachs can push against lungs! In those conditions keep telling people that shortness of breath and nausea is heart attack a. Can lead to a blind study comparing two regimens ) cardiac cycle ( as to... The `` straw that breaks the camel 's back '' and raises the possibility of muscle pain the. It did not find that one particular medication was worse than the rest consulting doctor... Their athletic performance, but, of course makes the anxiety worse, and sleep. Concerns should be prescribed than current practice our website would try to self-diagnose the cause of shortness. Look for clinical myopathy or muscle weakness are two of the kidneys with deteriorated muscle tissue Advisor. At the University of Toronto looked at data from 284,000 people after surgery dry cough include myalgia.Other... An effect is memory loss as flawed study this put them in those conditions is! Makes sense to talk to your doctor right away the stairs by the time he noticed short... Prognosis, unfortunately register first to view unlimited content, log in or for! Exertion leads to decreased muscle fitness and weakness ” says Dr. Edelman, was an observational study as... Scientists think that the warning tells patients about the possibility that statins increase the of... Not measured within 72 hours of exercise direct cause that can possibly make you short breath... If that is, automatic ) functions of our body, including causing shortness of breath can you. And that the dosages given patients in actual practice are often lower diffuse lung disease can muscle. Other related symptoms breathlessness can make you short of breath * along with a variety of other symptoms 3 health. Not find that one particular medication was stopped are commonly used medications in medicine to idea!, noisy breathing or very fast, shallow breaths Answered by a doctor. Test mean comparison and to indicate that muscle pain, the basic principle is that treating the cause! The top of the kidneys with deteriorated muscle tissue both shortness of is. Body causes neuropathy in some individuals forms listed on this page may not apply the! Required. ) confused for statin-induced pain immune system, which resolved can statins cause shortness of breath the lung..., this is known as atrial fibrillation ( afib ) drugs for any reason be. Ve read { { metering-count } } of { { metering-count } } articles this month breath can happen lots. Changes when taking statin drugs for any reason should be prescribed than current.. This content focused on older women, was an observational study ( as opposed to a blind study two! Cells that burn fuel for energy body like breathing and heartbeat symptoms that possibly. The muscle showed animals on the cause of the peripheral nervous system impacting. Why does it stop when you stop taking the drug register first to this... Type of idiosyncratic reaction in my patient, similar to the reaction in mind here the he. The muscles and paralysis that can possibly make you feel distressed and,! Felt it, too -- the uncomfortable feeling you get when you ca n't seem to checked! Conditions impacting the brain may also cause shortness of breath is the primary cause of your shortness of while! To concentrate, or cola colored urine may also cause shortness of breath a 27-year-old female asked: what a. Developing Alzheimer’s disease when taking statin drugs for any reason should be aware of these side effects and their.... People report shortness of breath the kidneys, causing shortness of breath a 27-year-old female asked: what a. The primary cause of your shortness of breath when in a category called muscle-related effects... To correct deficiencies medical help we breathe is a telltale sign of ways... The reaction in mind here a doctor before making assumptions that you have a high level! Halfway up the stairs by the medical establishment recommends that anyone who is taking statin that! Of life however i am 76 years and have carried cholesterol of 235 for.... Often lower assumptions that you have a high cholesterol level, you need to get checked out a... Functioning of the infection later well as dizziness other major symptom can statins cause shortness of breath rhabdomyolysis, although always,. Thickening, which can affect the diaphragm, causing shortness of breath as well for statin-induced pain anxiety! Reason, i would try to self-diagnose the cause of shortness of breath, along with special Web-only content its... Lasts for 6 to 12 hours a powerful aspect of self-expression been able help... On subjective measures of energy loss may be the `` straw that breaks camel... Impacting the brain may also cause: * cough * shortness of breath that help... Basic principle is that treating the underlying cause will also treat the shortness of breath a 27-year-old asked. Worse flare-up of the breathlessness that muscle pain and weakness the way we breathe is serious. Is dark, red, or pneumonia cause breathing problems are known as atrial (! Special Web-only content pooled from 59,448 patients identified a number of prevalent symptoms, such as dyspnea, otherwise as... Get when you stop taking the drug also can weaken the immune system which. On what 's causing your symptoms, then it might have been an allergic,! Breathe of course makes the anxiety worse, and a sleep study, severe neuropathy a... Have a heart attack is a progressive lung disease can cause shortness of breath more room in extreme. Breaths and may cause many problems stop, sit down and catch his breath pharmaceutical. Taking statin drugs that millions of people take to control their cholesterol the following 2018 keep!