When the heart cannot circulate blood efficiently, pressure can build up in the blood vessels of the lungs, potentially contributing to breathing difficulty.
But heart disease is not the only possible cause.
Breathlessness can also result from:
- Asthma
- Lung infections
- Chronic lung disease
- Anemia
- Anxiety
- Poor physical conditioning
- Obesity
- Certain medications
- Other medical conditions
That is why persistent or unexplained shortness of breath deserves an appropriate medical evaluation rather than an assumption about its cause.
Shortness of Breath While Lying Down
One particularly important pattern is difficulty breathing when lying
