One of the body's most natural functions is breathing, something we hardly even notice until it is hard to do. When shortness of breath begins to feel like drowning, it can be a terrifying experience. This symptom, medically referred to as dyspnea, is not just a mere discomfort but a warning sign of existing heart or lung issues, and in some cases, a sign of heart failure (HF).
Heart failure affects nearly 2–3% of the world’s population, with shortness of breath being one of its first and longest-standing symptoms. In India alone, over 1.8 million individuals are hospitalized each year due to HF, making it crucial to detect and act on such warning signs at an early stage.
What Causes the ‘Drowning’ Sensation?
Here are potential causes of shortness of breath or dyspnea as listed by Dr (Col) Salil Garg Director, Department Of Cardiology at Shri Mahant Indiresh Hospital, Dehradun:
- Fluid Congestion in the Lungs: During heart failure, the heart is not able to pump blood effectively. As a result, fluid accumulates in the lungs and leads to pulmonary edema, which tends to create a sense of choking or drowning, especially when one lies down.
- Asthma or COPD: Chronic lung conditions such as asthma or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) tend to constrict the air passages, making breathing difficult and painful.
- Panic or Anxiety Attacks: Mental health conditions can mimic physical symptoms. Sudden breathlessness, tightness in the chest, and feeling suffocated are characteristic in anxiety disorders and may be confused with cardiac problems.
- Pulmonary Embolism or Blood Clots: A clot in the lung can cut off the blood flow, leading to extreme shortness of breath and chest pain. This is a medical emergency and should be treated immediately.
- Severe Anaemia: If your body does not have sufficient red blood cells to transport oxygen, it may lead to fatigue and breathlessness, especially during exertion.
Tips For Longer Life
The causes of breathlessness are myriad, and an important cause is a failing heart. Fortunately, it can be treated easily. Once you visit the doctor, the cause of breathlessness can be diagnosed and treated. The common causes of shortness of breath are Coronary Artery Disease, Valvular Heart Disease, cardiomyopathies such as hypertrophic, dilated or restrictive, or Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats or heart block).
The various modalities for treatment depend on the cause, such as balloon angioplasty and stent placement for CAD, where there is a blockage in the arteries. If there is a valvular disease, which may be in the form of narrowing or leakage, the treatment varies from medical management to either opening the orifice of the valve, clipping the orifice, or replacing the valve with either a metallic valve or a bioprosthetic valve made of bovine or porcine tissue.
In addition, pacemakers can be placed to regulate heart rhythms, and these can be both extracardiac and intracardiac.
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Similarly, other pacemakers such as ICDs, CRT-Ds, and VADs can be used in the failing heart to prevent both morbidity and mortality. For heart-related causes, valve replacement, Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT), and Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs) are some of the treatments used to enhance cardiac function and reduce symptoms. These minimally invasive interventions, along with medications, can help manage heart failure more effectively and improve oxygen circulation in the body.
Breathlessness must never be taken lightly. It is not only a symptom—it is your body's way of indicating distress. If you often feel like you are gasping for air or drowning, consult a doctor immediately for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
In addition to these, learning stress management, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and regular health checks-ups are also essential. Breathing exercises, yoga, and pulmonary rehabilitation courses can also strengthen lung function and relieve symptoms in the long term. Knowing the early signs and receiving early medical attention can be the difference between living in fear and breathing freely once more.