Hi there thank you for the question! There are many reasons for breathing difficulties such as diseases of the lungs, heart and blood. As you have mentioned, your father has a heart condition so breathing difficulties will be a common symptom. Before I could specifically address the problem, I would like to know what is the diagnosis of your father’s heart condition?

So basically the heart works as a pump, usually beating about 60 to 100 times per minute and with each heartbeat, the heart sends blood throughout our bodies, carrying oxygen to every cell. After delivering the oxygen, the blood returns to the heart and then sends the blood to the lungs to pick up more oxygen. The cycle repeats over and over again.

So when there is a problem in this cycle then the body compensates it by increasing the respiratory rate of a person so they do not collapse due to lack of oxygen. There are many heart diseases including blood vessel diseases, such as coronary artery disease, heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) and heart defects you’re born with (congenital heart defects). Older individuals are usually affected with coronary artery disease.

Symptoms includes chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure, chest discomfort (angina), shortness of breath, pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in your legs or arms if the blood vessels in those parts of your body are narrowed and pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen or back.

There are many risk factors which predisposes a person to heart diseases such as age, gender, smoking habits, family history, poor diet, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, stress and poor hygiene. Hence it is advised to eat healthy, exercise regularly, take your medications religiously and get a regular check up to know the condition of your heart. All the best!