I've experienced shortness of breath after minimal exertion and when bending over since the first time I had chemo. It got worse after the second time I had chemo last year and even worse after radiation to my chest, neck, and armpit. I've had several echocardiagrams since the shortness of breath started in 2022 and they were all inconclusive. Each of them gave different results, such as leaky valves and an aortic aneurism. Echocardiagrams are essentially glorified ultrasound tests.

Since the echocardiagrams were inconclusive and showing different problems on each one I did some research and learned that an MRI would give more detailed views of my heart and what could be causing the shortness of breath. I demanded that my cardiologist order an MRI and she opted to order a CT scan with and without contrast. CT scans also will show what's going on with your heart in more detail than an echocardiagram. The results of my CT scan showed that I do not have any leaky valves and do not have an aortic aneurism which was good news. The only thing that did show is very minor amount of plaque in one artery that is nothing to be concerned about.

My most recent PET scan a couple weeks ago showed that I now have emphysema in my right lung from the radiation and this is what is most likely causing the shortness of breath.

Ask your doctor to run further tests that will give them a better view of what's going on in your heart and lungs and they might be able to diagnose what's causing your shortness of breath. Good luck with your surgery next month ❤️