orthopnea
Pronunciation: or-THOP-nee-ah
Shortness of breath that occurs when lying flat and is relieved by sitting upright.
Full Definition
Orthopnea is dyspnea that develops when a patient assumes a recumbent position and is characteristically relieved by sitting upright or propping up with pillows. It results from increased venous return to the heart when lying flat, leading to elevated pulmonary capillary pressures in patients with compromised cardiac function. Orthopnea is quantified by the number of pillows needed to sleep comfortably (e.g., 'three-pillow orthopnea'). It is a classic symptom of congestive heart failure but can also occur with severe pulmonary disease, massive pleural effusion, or severe obesity. The mechanism involves redistribution of fluid from peripheral tissues to the central circulation when horizontal.
Usage
Usage note: Quantify by number of pillows when documenting patient history.
In Context
- "The patient reported two-pillow orthopnea and inability to sleep flat for the past month." — Heart failure assessment
- "Progressive orthopnea is an important indicator of worsening heart failure requiring medication adjustment." — Clinical monitoring protocol