Living well with breathlessness

Lady hidden in the roses artwork

It can be hard to live with breathlessness, but there are ways you can manage it to help you live well with it.

Many people who have heart or lung conditions experience breathlessness on a daily basis. Breathlessness affects your life in a number of ways. For example, it can make it difficult for you to manage your everyday activities, leaving you frustrated and sometimes frightened.

You will have worked out some ways to help you live well with your breathlessness, but there may be some extra ideas you have not come across before below.

Woman with her head in the clouds showing how difficult it is to breathe when breathless. It is important to remember that if you suddenly experience breathlessness, or it becomes much worse than usual, you should seek medical help, as it may be a sign of a problem which needs immediate treatment.

However, if you have been breathless most days for several months then you can learn ways to cope better with this usual level of breathlessness yourself.

All image(s) courtesy of Hull York Medical School. Created by Anna Bean, in collaboration with people living with breathlessness.

To see the exhibition visit Hull York Medical School website (link opens in a new window).

Breathlessness can make doing daily activities and being able to get out and about difficult. It can lead to a range of feelings and even change your relationships with people.

Image(s) courtesy of Hull York Medical School. Created by Anna Bean, in collaboration with people living with breathlessness.

Breathlessness is not something to be embarrassed about and to be hidden away; keeping active and involved with others will help your life be as good as possible.

Although breathlessness can indeed make things difficult, you can find ways to cope with it.

Living well with breathlessness comes from a combination of accepting that your life has changed, adapting the way you do things and continuing to take part in activities.

Find a comfortable position to ease your breathlessness
Use a breathing technique to help you manage your breathlessness. Different techniques can be useful for different situations and underlying conditions.
Use a hand-held battery-operated fan near your face, as this should help you feel less breathless (If Covid-19 remains a risk, then don’t use the fan if there are others from another household present but use a wet flannel to cool your face instead)
Have the window open to get some fresh air
Arrange your home to make daily tasks easier and find simple ways to cook, clean and do other chores. For example, you could move things around your home using a small table with wheels and use a pole or tongs with long handles for things you can’t reach and put items that you use all the time in places that are easy to reach.
Use a towelling robe after having a bath or shower – this way you’ll use less energy than drying off with a towel.
Wear loose clothes, and wear clothes and shoes that are easy to put on and take off.
Plan your day, allowing breaks for rest, and pace your activities
Break down your activities into smaller tasks that are more manageable
Stay as active as you can
Do things to help you relax, such as listening to music, practicing mindfulness and doing gentle exercise
Eat a healthy diet and manage your weight
Keep in touch with friends and family – and don’t be afraid to ask for support when you need it
Be open about how breathlessness affects your life and seek help to manage it

Doctors, nurses and physiotherapists can help you manage your breathlessness. Seek help from your GP for managing your breathlessness.

Your GP may be able to refer you to a local exercise class for people with heart conditions or to a clinic to learn more about managing breathlessness. You may also like to join a support group.

To find out more about managing breathlessness and support available locally download your copy of the Guide to living well with breathlessness (link opens in a new window)

You can also find out more useful information, help and tips on the British Lung Foundation and British Heart Foundation websites

Sometimes the effects of breathlessness can make it difficult for family and friends supporting you at home (sometimes called “carers”). They can worry when you are very breathless and will want to know more about how to help you.

Breathlessness can affect your relationships and make you both feel isolated. It is very important that family and friends supporting you take time to look after themselves well and seek support from others, including professionals, when needed.

The Carers UK website has useful general guidance for carers, and for information on supporting someone with breathlessness (and how carers can look after themselves) visit the Supporting breathlessness website.

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