Why Am I Short of Breath When Walking Up Stairs?

Sometimes you get to the top of the stairs. Your hand is on the railing. You're huffing, and it just seems like hard work, even though you're healthy. Keep reading to learn about when it's normal and when to get checked.

Stairs Are Harder Than They Look

Stairs can be hard to climb even if you're healthy. They take a quick burst of effort. You lift your whole body weight straight up multiple times. Breathing gets harder, too. That's because there's an oxygen demand before your breathing catches up to your body. Your heart and your lungs scramble to get in line with your body.

That winded feeling has a name: dyspnea. Here's a good rule of thumb. If your breathing gets easier within a few minutes of rest, that's usually normal. If not, reach out to your respiratory care team.

The Everyday Explanations

The most common reason is simply being out of shape. Even a little extra weight can make your heart and lungs work harder. The weather matters too. There are a few things that can make it worse:

• Heat
• Humidity
• Cold air
• Bad air quality

As you get older, your ability to walk up stairs can get harder. Yet if you make it a point to get regular exercise, that may make stairs a little easier over time.

When Something Else Is Going On

Some health problems can make walking up stairs harder. Here is a list of possible conditions:

• Lung issues like asthma or COPD.
• Heart problems, like heart failure or coronary artery disease.
• Anemia, which means fewer red blood cells and less oxygen.

When to See a Physician

Make an appointment to see your Baptist Health respiratory care team if your difficulty with breathing gets worse on the stairs. Also, reach out for help if the trouble lasts four or more weeks. Or if you're also wheezing, have swollen ankles, or have any trouble breathing while lying flat on your back.

Some signs need help right away. If you have sudden, really intense breathlessness or chest pain or pressure, call 911 and get help immediately. This is also true if you are fainting or if your lips or nails are a bluish color.

If you don't have a Baptist Health pulmonologist, you can find one by visiting our provider directory.