Shortness of breath due to sudden weight gain? (blood, doctor, heart)

[thinkertinker]

In the past 3-4 weeks I have gained a lot of weight from overeating and the holidays. I would say maybe 10-15 pounds. I am working out now to shed those pounds.

However, in the past couple of weeks I find myself getting short of breath extremely easily and it's starting to concern me in certain moments. It was the worst after Christmas dinner when I ate too much. I had a COVID test done after a week of being short of breath and it was negative. I have also noticed that my shortness of breath seems to be worse after I eat, but outside of that it's pretty okay.

I relocated to Florida just this past week and have gone running outside a couple of times for about an hour and have had no issues with breathing. It really seems to be when I eat and some time after, but I gradually see it getting better.

Can sudden gain weight cause this? Kind of like the body all of a sudden it trying to adjust to this extra weight and is having trouble getting enough oxygen for the new amount of fat?

Now that I am back on a diet and working out again, I am going to see if in the next couple of weeks as I lose some weight if it improves. If it doesn't I might get it checked out.

BTW I am 35, no underlying conditions, and pretty athletic, I wouldn't say lean but not overweight either (well at least I wasn't a month ago lol).

[cb at sea]

I would let my Dr. know....it could be some sort of blockage that is preventing enough oxygenation to your lungs after eating, as much blood goes to the stomach after a meal......
Perhaps lighter meals, more frequently would help.

[RamenAddict]

You can get shortness of breath from reflux. Since it seems to be improving and you admittedly at a lot, that would make sense. With heart problems. You are more likely to get short of breath with exercise/exertion.

[fluffythewondercat]

OP, in a different forum you wrote:

I think I was just feeling incredibly anxious, frustrated and trapped with everything going on

It may not be the additional weight. It could be anxiety.

If I were you, I would buy a fingertip pulse oximeter on Amazon (about $25) and use it a couple of times a day. Keep a journal of each reading and how you were feeling when you took it (anxious, stressed, relaxed, dizzy, fatigued, etc.)

If you do need to see a doctor, you'll have this information at hand for him/her to review.

[thinkertinker]

Originally Posted by fluffythewondercat

OP, in a different forum you wrote:

I think I was just feeling incredibly anxious, frustrated and trapped with everything going on

It may not be the additional weight. It could be anxiety.

If I were you, I would buy a fingertip pulse oximeter on Amazon (about $25) and use it a couple of times a day. Keep a journal of each reading and how you were feeling when you took it (anxious, stressed, relaxed, dizzy, fatigued, etc.)

If you do need to see a doctor, you'll have this information at hand for him/her to review.

You could be right though. My anxiety has been at an all time high, it's a combination of the pandemic and me just having moved to Florida. On my flight on the way here, I had a terrible anxiety attack. I used to have a fear of flying in the past, and in the past 10 years I overcame that and really don't struggle to fly anymore. However, with my anxiety at an all time high, I was convinced that we were going to die on this flight, lol. It was pretty bad. When I had breathing problems before the New Year, I asked myself if perhaps it was anxiety induced, as I have been very anxious and stressed lately.

However, since arriving in Florida I am in much better shape.