What characterizes shortness of breath from heart failure?
People with heart failure experience shortness of breath in many different ways. Most people describe it as being winded, having a tightness in the chest, or even feeling tired while walking. You may also experience shortness of breath from heart failure at specific times—when you exercise or overexert yourself, while you are lying down, and while you are sleeping. Shortness of breath from exertion. If your shortness of breath is not severe, you may notice it only when you are exerting yourself, and sometimes only during more intense exertion. For example, you may notice that you are short of breath after walking up three flights of stairs, whereas before, you were comfortable walking up four flights. The medical term for this symptom is dyspnea (say “DISP-nee-ah”). When heart failure develops gradually, your shortness of breath also may develop gradually, which can make it hard to notice. People with more severe heart failure, however, may experience shortness of breath with minimal e
