My husband is almost 68 years old and over weight. Recently he has been getting shortness of breath whenever he walks just a short distance (I m talking a few feet) His blood pressure is pretty normal 130/68, but his pulse has been high for him. It s been running between 75 and sometimes 110. What can be wrong? Do you think it s just because he s over weight? Thank you for your advice.
Thanks for your question on Chat Doctor. I want to ask one thing. Is your husband smoker?. If yes than he is at risk for cardiac and pulmonary causes. Shortness of breath can be seen in both causes. So we need to rule out cardiac and pulmonary causes first. Get done ECG and 2 D Echo for evaluation of heart function. Get done chest x-ray and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) to rule out pulmonary causes. If all are normal than obesity must be the cause for his symptoms.  So strict dieting is needed for weight loss.