Breathlessness
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Breathlessness is an uncommon presenting symptom of heart disease. It may occur in significant left to right shunts as the increased pulmonary flow decreases lung compliance. It can also occur if there is significant valve regurgitation and in cardiomyopathy. In small babies feeding is their exercise - failing to finish a feed and signs of increased respiratory effort is thus worrying - particularly if associated with failure to thrive. Breathlessness on running or other exercise is a common complaint of teenagers and is rarely a sign of cardiac disease unless it is out of proportion to the exercise taken - as a rule children should be able to manage as well as their friends. Breathlessness is a more common symptom in those with operated congenital cardiac disease - post tetralogy of Fallot and those with complex disease. It requires a full cardiac evaluation.
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This page was last edited 16/2/2004 |
