But heart disease is not the only possible cause.

Breathlessness can also result from:

• Asthma
• Lung infections
• Chronic lung disease
• Anemia
  • Anxiety
  • Poor physical conditioning
  • Obesity
  • Certain medications
  • Other medical conditions

  That is why persistent or unexplained shortness of breath deserves an appropriate medical evaluation rather than an assumption about its cause.

  Shortness of Breath While Lying Down

  One particularly important pattern is difficulty breathing when lying flat.

  Some people with heart failure find that they need several pillows to sleep comfortably because lying down makes breathing harder.

  Others may wake suddenly during the night feeling unable to breathe.

  This does not prove that someone has heart failure, but it is a symptom worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

  A new or rapidly worsening breathing problem should not be ignored.

  3. Swelling in the Feet, Ankles, or Legs

  The image associated with this topic points toward the feet, and swelling in the lower legs is indeed one symptom that can occur with heart failure.

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