is short of breath a symptom of some serious illness?

Question

my friend is 81 years old man, he had 2 major heart attack and one minor, he is obese and loves eating fatty fry food and icecream, also he drink beer occationally (after stopping for 10 years he took up again), his last heart attack was 7 months ago. Yesterday he told me that he couldn't breath for the whole day and he fall in sleep early in the afternoon, is this a serious symptom of some illness? also he needs to have a stop for every 5 meter he walks or he will be serous out of breath

Answer 1

yes this is VERY serious get him to the dr asap..

Answer 2

It could be a symptom of an impending heart attack, or he may be suffering from congestive heart failure (water on the heart) the second can be treated with diueretics, which are relatively cheap. He also may have damage to his heart from his last heart attack. He is an old man in poor health with few years left. I suggest you get him to see a Cardiologist as soon as possible if he wants to live out his last years more comfortable.

Answer 3

He was tired due to lack of oxygen, likely. And yes, shortness of breath is likely related to his heart disease condition. He needs to exercise (start VERY moderate, and mildly) Take his 5 meters, and add a step, then another and add a step. Plus he needs to eat well, any nutritional supplements and foods that he can find that will support cardio vascular health, and avoid smoking, sodas, white foods (no flour, potatoes, high carbs/starchy stuff). Fresh raw veggies would be great, salads, make them taste good through some simple homemade dressings and dips. Juicing would be great! Heart is a muscle, it needs protein as well.

Answer 4

It is SERIOUSLY necessary for his doctor to know that he is SO short of breath. He eats foods that agrivate his system, he is over weight, and has a history of heart attacks. When he is telling you he cannot breath, ask him if the doctor gave him medication for this. Make sure he takes the medication as prescribed. I just have asthma, but seriously so. I take Advair and combivent to keep breathing. I know what it is like to have no air. I, also, take albuterol with a machine. Does he have a machine around at home for this? Check it out. If he cannot breath, he cannot think clearly enough to think of taking his meds, so if you want to, look for his meds for him when he cannot breath. Read the directions..............do any say for lack of oxygen? It is really important that his doctor knows what is going on. I know he probably won't change his life style, at his age, but, we can try to keep him as healthy as the doctor's prescribed medications will help him. When he CAN breath, ask him about his meds, he cannot remember while he is not able to breath..........so make sure his 'can't breath' medications are near him. He may have stuck them away where they are NOT handy and NOT even remember them, while he cannot breathe.

Answer 5

Yes...very serious. He's a walking heart attack waiting to happen. Especially if he is non compliant with diet and exercise. Which from your description, he sounds like he is.