10 Pericarditis Symptoms
3. Dyspnea
Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, describes a feeling when one is unable to breathe well enough. It can be defined as a discomfort where increased effort is required to breathe. Dyspnea is normal when there is heavy exertion but becomes pathological if it happens with light exertion. A patient with dyspnea may also experience air hunger (a feeling of inadequate oxygen) and chest tightness.
The severity of dyspnea can be evaluated based on the intensity of symptoms, degree of distress, and the impact it has on routine activities. In constrictive pericarditis, dyspnea is one of the commonest symptoms and can be seen in almost all patients. Other common causes of dyspnea include pneumonia, asthma, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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