Unexplained breathlessness can often be a sign of an underlying cardiac or respiratory disease. Rapid breathing or not being able to catch a breath is easily explained during a 10K race, but not so easily explained for someone who has just walked 15 feet to her mailbox. Being short of breath with minimal effort could be a sign that you need to increase your daily exercise to strengthen your heart. Becoming short of breath and experiencing chest tightness with minimal exertion is not normal.
Unfit and Overweight
Being unfit and overweight can cause chronic shortness of breath which will get worse without treatment. Air pollution, allergies, heart, lung or blood disease on top of being unfit and overweight will exacerbate the sensation of breathlessness. This discomfort will become progressively worse as a person becomes even more sedentary to avoid the discomfort of feeling short of breath.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is often the cause of chronic shortness of breath as the heart tries to pump enough blood to meet the oxygen demands of the body. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, pulmonary edema, a condition that affects the heart and lungs, builds up fluid in the lung tissues causing chronic shortness of breath as the condition gradually worsens. Several types of heart disease will improve with a healthy diet, daily exercise, vitamin and mineral supplements and medications, and as a result, the heart will be able to more easily meet the body's demand for oxygen, and lessen the feeling of breathlessness.
Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
Emphysema, chronic bronchitis and sometimes asthma, all components of chronic obstructive lung disease, will cause chronic shortness of breath in older adults. According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, repeated lung infections can damage the lungs even further, leaving them more susceptible to air pollution, fumes, dust or smoking, compounding an already compromised respiratory system. Participating in a pulmonary rehabilitation program can minimize the feelings of breathlessness by learning how to conserve energy and by learning better breathing techniques.
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is a relentless assault on the already-inflamed lung tissue and airways, causing permanent, irreversible damage to the lining of the bronchial tubes. According to the American Lung Association, this damage prevents air from moving into and out of the airway, compromising airflow causing chronic shortness of breath. Increased mucus production causes an individual to cough, further compounding his shortness of breath. Under these circumstances, a patient continually feels short of breath as he breathes through mucus and inflammation.
Cigarette Smoking
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, smoking or being around second hand smoke will make shortness of breath worse, particularly if a person already has underlying lung disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Inflammation of lung tissues caused by inhaling irritating substances will cause chronic shortness of breath. There are several treatments available to help smokers quit. Most smoke cessation programs offer physical, emotional and moral support, which can include gradually decreasing their dependence on cigarettes, or simply quitting altogether, and replacing the nicotine addiction with medications designed to help break the habit.
