29. Feeling Suffocated When Bending Forward (Bendopnea)
A recently recognized symptom of heart failure is bendopnea — breathlessness that occurs when bending forward, such as while tying shoes or picking something up. Patients may feel as though they are suffocating after just a few seconds in this position.
This happens because bending forward increases pressure inside the chest and abdomen, pushing more fluid into the lungs and reducing the heart’s ability to pump. It is a specific symptom of advanced heart failure.
Take Mr. Dennis, a 62-year-old retired engineer, who noticed that every time he bent to tie his shoelaces, he felt suffocated and had to sit upright quickly. At first, he thought it was weight-related, but tests revealed heart failure. After adjusting his medication, his bendopnea improved.
Bendopnea may seem minor, but it is an important clue for doctors. Families should pay attention when patients complain of “not being able to breathe while bending” because it indicates significant fluid overload and poor heart function.