I can't breathe whilst exercising

by Steve
(Lincoln, NE, USA)

Age: 42

Gender: male

Nature of Problem: I stopped smoking and started running. And the thing I noticed to my chagrin is that I was barely going when I just couldn't breathe. I just can't take deep breaths. Is there something I can take to help loosen that up so I can actually run more than a block without stopping? If I rest awhile, I am fine. But it takes almost nothing in regard to running for the issue to start over.

I don't know if this is relevant, but I'm 6-2 and weigh 240 lbs.

Medical history: I have had some issues with kidney stones, but nothing other than that.

Family history: I only know that my mother died of a heart attack. I am not sure about the rest of my biological family

Smoking and alcohol history: I quit smoking. I smoked for just over 20 years.

I don't drink

Breathing Problems Whilst Running

Breathing problems during running have many causes. It maybe due to your poor level of fitness. Your BMI is 30.81 kg/m2 which classifies you as obese. You also have just stopped smoking. You may be just trying to do too much too quickly. You will almost certainly have a degree of smoking related lung damage and may have a condition called COPD or chronic obstructive airways disease in the early stages. You could equally have issues with your heart causing your problems with your breathing.

What Should You Do About Your Breathing Problems Whilst Running?

First of all you should have a medical done to check your blood pressure, have an ECG (EKG), your spirometry checked (a breathing test), perhaps a chest x-ray and even have some heart tests done such as an exercise test and an exhocardiogram.

If these are all ok then a personal trainer may help as they can guide you in building up the level of exercise and subsequent fitness you have.




My name is Dr Peter Thatcher MBBS, MRCPI and I am a consultant physician and gastroenterologist in the UK. I have an interest in internet based medicine and administer this site in my spare time. I hope you find this site useful and informative. If you have any suggestions, please Contact Me or if you would like to comment on my site, please do so by Clicking Here. If you like the site and would like to make a donation to support what I am doing please do so by Clicking Here. Thank you for visiting and please drop by again!