Exertional dyspnea
Perceived difficulty to breathe that occurs with exercise or exertion and improves with rest.
Also called: Exertional breathlessness, Exertional dyspnoea, Shortness of breathing upon physical activity.
Conditions associated with exertional dyspnea
The following conditions have been associated with exertional dyspnea in medical literature. This is informational and not a diagnosis.
Acute promyelocytic leukemia
Acute promyelocytic leukemia is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Atherosclerosis
A disease in which plaque builds up inside arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow, raising the risk ...
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, warm type
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, warm type is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and...
Autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia
Autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia is a medical condition that may be associated with var...
Autosomal recessive distal nebulin myopathy
Autosomal recessive distal nebulin myopathy is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptom...
COPD
A group of progressive lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, that cause airflow obstructi...
Coronary Artery Disease
Narrowing of the coronary arteries by plaque, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle and causing chest pain, ...
Eisenmenger syndrome
Eisenmenger syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy 2, autosomal dominant
Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern and caused by mutations in the LM...
Glycogen storage disease due to acid maltase deficiency
Glycogen storage disease due to acid maltase deficiency is a medical condition that may be associated with var...
Glycogen storage disease due to muscle glycogen phosphorylase deficiency
Glycogen storage disease due to muscle glycogen phosphorylase deficiency is a medical condition that may be as...
Glycogen storage disease with severe cardiomyopathy due to glycogenin deficiency
Glycogen storage disease with severe cardiomyopathy due to glycogenin deficiency is a medical condition that m...
Goodpasture syndrome
Goodpasture syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Heart Failure
A condition in which the heart cannot pump blood effectively, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs and body a...
Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome
Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and s...
Medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency
Medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
Myelodysplastic neoplasm with increased blasts
Myelodysplastic neoplasm with increased blasts is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
Non-progressive predominantly posterior cavitating leukoencephalopathy with peripheral neuropathy
Non-progressive predominantly posterior cavitating leukoencephalopathy with peripheral neuropathy is a medical...
Obesity
A complex disease involving excessive body fat that increases the risk of many other health conditions....
Peripartum cardiomyopathy
Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Plectin-related limb-girdle muscular dystrophy R17
Plectin-related limb-girdle muscular dystrophy R17 is a medical condition that may be associated with various ...
Polymyositis
Polymyositis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Postsynaptic congenital myasthenic syndrome
Postsynaptic congenital myasthenic syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptom...
Primary familial polycythemia
Primary familial polycythemia is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and sign...
Scleromyxedema
Scleromyxedema is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms and signs....
Shortness of Breath
A feeling of being unable to catch your breath or get enough air, which can be sudden or gradual....
Synaptic congenital myasthenic syndrome
Synaptic congenital myasthenic syndrome is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms an...
Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica
Tracheobronchopathia osteochondroplastica is a medical condition that may be associated with various symptoms ...
mitochondrial DNA deletion syndrome with progressive myopathy
mitochondrial DNA deletion syndrome with progressive myopathy is a medical condition that may be associated wi...
mitochondrial complex IV deficiency, nuclear type 1
Any mitochondrial complex IV deficiency in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the SURF1 gene....
respiratory infections, recurrent, and failure to thrive with or without diarrhea
respiratory infections, recurrent, and failure to thrive with or without diarrhea is a medical condition that ...
telangiectasia, hereditary hemorrhagic, type 1
telangiectasia, hereditary hemorrhagic, type 1 is a medical condition that may be associated with various symp...
Tests providers may use to investigate exertional dyspnea
When investigating exertional dyspnea, a healthcare provider may order one or more of the following laboratory tests. Test selection is a clinical decision made by a qualified professional.
Apolipoprotein B Test, Apo-B
Order Apolipoprotein B Test, (Apo-B).com online through our partner and visit a local lab near you....
BNP / NT-proBNP
Measures B-type natriuretic peptide to help evaluate heart failure....
Basic Heart Health Panel - Lab Tests At Healthlabs
This standard 5-test panel screens general health & cardiovascular health. It is especially helpful for indivi...
Bnp Blood Test
Heart failure blood testing - This test measures levels of B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) to help detect, di...
C-Reactive Protein Test, High Sensitivity
C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels provide insight into heart health. This high sensitivity blood test is often o...
CBC with Differential
Measures red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets to help evaluate overall health and detect disorder...
Cardiac Health & Cholesterol
Fast, easy & affordable heart health and cholesterol lab tests-- no insurance or a doctor's referral needed. S...
Cbc, Cmp, Ua, Thyroid, & Lipid Health Tests
Our standard health test panel includes thyroid testing, a CBC, CMP, Urinalysis, & Lipid Panel. These lab test...
Cholesterol & Lipid Test Panels
A complete cholesterol test (a lipid panel or lipid profile) is a blood test that can measure the amount of ty...
Comprehensive Heart Health Panel
This comprehensive 7-test panel screens general & cardiovascular health. It is especially helpful for individu...
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
Measures 14 substances in the blood to assess kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance, and blood sugar ...
Symptoms commonly seen alongside exertional dyspnea
Breathlessness When Lying Flat
Difficulty breathing when lying flat that improves when sitting up, which can be a sign of heart failure....
Chest Tightness
A feeling of pressure, squeezing, or tightness in the chest, which can be related to heart, lung, or muscle co...
Excessive Sweating
Sweating more than is needed to regulate body temperature, which can accompany fever, anxiety, hypoglycemia, o...
Leg Cramping with Walking
Cramping leg pain that occurs with walking and improves with rest, which can be a sign of peripheral artery di...
Waking to Urinate at Night
The need to wake up during the night to urinate, which can disrupt sleep and may be linked to bladder, prostat...
Weight Gain
An increase in body weight that can be caused by changes in diet, activity, fluid retention, or hormonal condi...
When to seek care
Seek care from a qualified healthcare provider if exertional dyspnea is severe, persistent, worsening, or accompanied by concerning symptoms. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the symptom exertional dyspnea mean?
Exertional dyspnea is a health sign or symptom described in medical literature. Perceived difficulty to breathe that occurs with exercise or exertion and improves with rest.
Which conditions are associated with exertional dyspnea?
Exertional dyspnea has been reported in association with 33 conditions in the medical literature we index, including Acute promyelocytic leukemia, Atherosclerosis, Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, warm type, Autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia, Autosomal recessive distal nebulin myopathy. These associations do not mean you have any of these conditions.
Should I see a doctor about exertional dyspnea?
You should discuss any persistent or concerning symptoms with a qualified healthcare provider. This website does not provide diagnosis. If you have severe symptoms or signs of a medical emergency, seek care immediately.