My wife starts getting short of breath even while walking at a relatively slow pace. I estimate she takes about 8-12 breaths every ten seconds. She also feels dizzy while doing things around the house. She has gained quite a bit of weight over the years but her blood pressure is normal as are her cholesterol levels. I noticed the other morning that her respiration while sleeping was very rapid and labored. Our family doctor thought it is due to her nor drinking enough fluids but she has been drinking normal amounts every day for the last several weeks.
Dear, she has very fast heart rate. It should be immediate concern. As you have not written her age so I have to take few possibilities. Fast heart rate with breathing discomfort could be to some infection in body or lungs infection (fever is usually present), Heart diseases (dizziness is also seen) or some metabolic diseases (thyroid hormone imbalance). Weight gain is also seen in metabolic diseases or when your activity has been reduced due to some disease or fluid retention in heart diseases. She needs immediate attention by internal medicine or good GP.