Dyspnea in the elderly: old age or disease?
Suspect pulmonary or cardiac disease when dyspnea occurs with moderate exercise. Age-related reductions in pulmonary function almost never result in dyspnea at rest--or with such exercise as walking at a normal pace. Cardiac origin of pulmonary changes can often be recognized by the presence of cardiac abnormalities such as gallop rhythms, ECG changes, and concomitant signs of right ventricular failure. In some cases, the cardiac origin of the abnormality can only be established by right heart catheterization.
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests