Shortness of breath

[momofgirls1]

I am 41 yr. Female that weighs approx. l95.  I have tried to start a walking program but find that I am constantly thinking of my breathing.  I always feel short of breath while walking. I keep trying to get over the hump so to speak and when I finally do I start all over again.  Sometimes I start noticing my breathing at other times even when not excersising.  I feel short of breath but it does seem if I change my thoughts I don't notice it very much.  It gets to the point I won't walk because all I think about is how short my breath is.  Could I have asthma?  I listen for a wheeze and if I exhale very hard I almost think I hear something.  Is that a wheeze or does everyone do this?  I went for a small checkup last year and everything checks out fine.  I have MVP but have few symptoms.
Could this breathing thing be anxiety?  Is it normal to feel short of breath while walking moderaterly? Could it be my weight that causes this? I know sometimes after walking a half hour when I stop I start to almost feel faint.  I never feel this way while walking but only when I stop.Can stopping too fast without a cooldown cause this? Or could it perhaps be from constantly trying to take deep breaths the whole time.  I really want to get motivated and start walking how can I tell if I am really short of breath  or almost hyperventalating?  Couldn't that cause shortness of breath>  Thanks

[National Jewish]

There are various causes of the symptoms you have described and you have mentioned many of them in your email. This could be anxiety with hyperventilation. This could be a form of exercise-induced asthma. This could be due to the lack of conditioning. The best thing for you to do is to work with your physician in setting up a controlled exercise program and evaluation process. This may include a pulmonary function test after a treadmill or bicycle stress test. It is important for you to establish the cause of this and to address it in order for you to feel comfortable in your exercise program

[Ellis7]

For MVP [mitral valve prolapse], there is a support group/forum at: www.medhelp.org/HealthTopics/MVP.html
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Also see:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/mvp/mvp_fs.htm
"Symptoms

The vast majority of people with MVP have no discomfort at all. Most are surprised to learn that their heart is functioning in any way abnormally. Some individuals report mild and common symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, and either "skipping" or "racing" of the heart. More rarely, chest pain is reported. However, these are symptoms that may or may not be related to the MVP."
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http://www.heartcenteronline.com/Mitral_Valve_Prolapse.html
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