Dyspnea in the elderly: old age or disease?
Lillington, G.A.
Geriatrics 39(11): 47-52
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0016-867X PMID: 6489759 Document Number: 225453
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.