What is orthopnea?

Orthopnea is defined as the difficulty people experience when breathing while lying flat. This condition is often associated with heart failure and pulmonary disorders, where affected individuals may find relief by sitting up or propping themselves with pillows.

In contrast, shortness of breath during exercise signifies a different issue related to physical exertion, which does not specifically relate to body position. Difficulty breathing while sitting upright does not encompass the symptoms of orthopnea since it specifically involves the position of lying flat. Lastly, an inability to breathe during sleep can refer to conditions such as sleep apnea, which also diverges from the definition of orthopnea that pertains specifically to the supine position.