Shortness of Breath While Lying Down
Shortness of breath while lying down or that occurs after several hours of sleep can be a sign of heart failure. Shortness of breath may be a result of buildup of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema).
When a person is standing or sitting upright, gravity helps keep the lung area relatively free of excess fluid. The effect of gravity is lost and fluid can easily build up in the lungs when a person lies down.
Understanding Heart Failure -- the Basics
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart can't pump blood effectively to the lungs or the rest of the body. This can be because the person has developed a weakened heart muscle or because the heart muscle has thickened, making it difficult to fill the heart and backing up blood into the lungs. With heart failure, the weakened heart pumps less blood than usual, causing the kidneys and adrenal glands to produce chemicals that help the body to hold onto salt and water. In addition, the blood...
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In heart failure, the heart is not able to handle the increased volume of returning blood. When lying down, fluid from the backed-up blood collects in the lungs, causing shortness of breath or a feeling of suffocation.
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