What is it?

My friend and I were seeing who could tread water the longest the other day, when all of a sudden I could hardly breathe.  My friend noticed that I was wheezing so we stopped treading water.  I've also noticed that sometimes I can't seem to catch my breath, even if I'm just sitting doing nothing.  What could be causing it?

[National Jewish]

It is important to find out the cause of the symptoms that you are describing.  Asthma is only one possible cause of wheezing.  The "test" for asthma is a simple one.  You will blow into a machine both before and after taking an inhaled medication.  It is a quite safe and definitive test.  If you have asthma, there are several safe medications to control the problem.  If you do not have asthma, the search should continue to determine whether the wheezing is due to an upper or lower airway problem.  The tests for these are also safe and fairly definitive.

[1!2@3#]

I forgot to mention that my family has a history of tachycardia.  Could that be the problem???

[starion]

Two major causes of shortness of breath are LUNG problem or HEART problem.  Please tell your family doctor about your symptoms and s/he can do some preliminary testing and send you to an appropriate specialist as needed.
A spirometry before and after bronchodilator medication can help determine whether you may have asthma or other lung condition.
Good luck!
Aloha,
Starion