Breathlessness

We often care for patients who find they cannot do what they want to do because they are short of breath. We then will try and pin down the cause, and often it is more than one issue. We will ask you about possible causes, examine you to see if there is an abnormality with the function of particularly, the heart or lungs. At this point, it is likely that there will be findings which point to the problem which will usually be confirmed with targeted tests.

At this point, we will recommend treatment aimed to reduce the symptoms. There are many causes of breathlessness, common cardiac causes include heart valve malfunction, weaker heart function (“heart failure”) and reduced blood supply to the heart due to heart artery narrowing.

The common tests used to help find the cause are:-

  • ECG
  • Blood tests
  • Chest x-Ray
  • Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart)
Here are some examples of echocardiograms that you might find interesting:

Transthoracic Echocardiogram

This is a two dimensional ultrasound of the heart showing the left ventricle and the mitral (at the bottom) and aortic (in the middle) valves. 

3-Dimensional Echocardiography

The pumping action of the of the heart can be assessed more accurately using three dimensional echo (left panel) and the motion of the walls can be looked at by using virtual slices (right panel

Global Strain

The function of the heart can be assessed with greater accuracy using the newer technology of strain analysis

What is heart failure?

The heart is a pump whose job is to circulate blood around your body.  Heart failure results when the heart is not able to pump properly.  This can occur due to many causes but common ones are a failure of the heart muscle to work effectively or because the pressures in the heart chambers are increased. 

Is heart failure serious?

Heart failure is a serious condition that can cause symptoms which limit your quality of life and reduce your lifespan.  However if picked up early there are many treatments that can improve your symptoms, prevent you being admitted to hospital and make you live longer.  Prompt diagnosis and management by a specialist in heart failure, such as the team at Wiltshire Cardiology has been shown to be beneficial. 

How will I know if I have heart failure?

Breathlessness at rest or when you exercise, needing to sleep propped up because of breathing difficulties and swollen ankles are common symptoms that may be caused by heart failure.  However you may not experience any symptoms as the body can compensate for a failing heart keeping you well.  Unfortunately the very mechanisms by which the body is able to cope make the heart enlarge and get weaker.  Eventually your body will not be able to cope and symptoms will develop. 

Get in touch