Irregularities during exercise, such as shortness of breath and noticeably high heart rates, should be carefully examined by a doctor. A common diagnosis for these symptoms is exercise-induced asthma, but research indicates this is often not the case. Several steps should be taken by your doctor to ensure the correct diagnosis is made so that proper treatment can begin. Of course, one possible cause for the symptoms is a lack of fitness, which means there is no medical condition to worry about.
Panic Disorder
A panic disorder, also commonly referred to as a panic attack, is an anxiety disorder that repeatedly spurs on attacks of fear and the premonition of something bad happening. A variety of symptoms accompany a panic attack, including a fast heart rate or pounding heart and a sensation of shortness of breath or smothering. The attacks are unpredictable and can occur at any point in people who have this disorder. Exercise is not necessarily a cause of panic attacks, but can sometimes exacerbate the feeling of an impending attack, given that your heart rate is naturally higher during exercise and that you must breath more heavily.
Exercise-Induced Asthma
A 2009 study concluded that people who are believed to have exercise-induced shortness of breath or asthma are often misdiagnosed. A Colorado Allergy and Asthma Centers study recreated exercise routines on 785 patients who then underwent symptom assessments, pulmonary function testing and physical examinations. Researchers concluded that high heart rates merely reflected overexertion, and only about 20 percent of study patients suffered from exercise-induced bronchospasms, or asthma, a significantly lower number than previous diagnoses indicated.
Vocal Cord Dysfunction
Vocal cord dysfunction, or VCD, causes abnormal behavior in your vocal cords. The cords close rather than open while breathing, which makes getting air in and out of your body difficult. Exercise is one of the many possible causes of VCD and creates shortness of breath. Exercising combined with breathing difficulties can cause your heart to beat faster. The dysfunction's symptoms are similar to asthma. A thorough screening for a correct diagnosis is required. Several of the exercise-induced asthma study participants proved to have VCD and not asthma.
Exercise Stress Test
If you experience shortness of breath during exercise, speak to your doctor. He can help you determine if your shortness of breath is due to your fitness level or a medical condition. If you are a beginner, your shortness of breath and high heart rates could be a reflection of your overall fitness ability, or lack thereof. If, however, you are used to exercise and still experience these symptoms, your doctor may recommend an exercise stress test, which can determine if your symptoms are more serious. The stress test measures heart activity and functioning of the valves, as well as rhythmic breathing and what could be constricting air flow.
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