A 56-year-old man reports difficulty breathing when walking but not at rest. This aligns with which NYHA classification?

In the context of heart failure, the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification system is used to categorize the severity of symptoms and limitations in physical activity. The classification provides a framework to assess how heart disease impacts a patient's physical capabilities.

In this scenario, the 56-year-old man experiences difficulty breathing specifically when walking but not at rest. This symptom indicates a limitation in physical activity, which is a critical factor in determining his NYHA classification.

NYHA class III is characterized by marked limitation of physical activity. Patients in this class are comfortable at rest, but they experience significant dyspnea with ordinary physical activities. Since this patient has difficulty breathing while walking (an ordinary activity for many), it clearly aligns with class III.

The other classes do not accurately represent his symptoms because:

• NYHA class I indicates no limitation of physical activity, meaning the individual can perform all activities without experiencing symptoms.

• NYHA class II involves slight limitation where patients are comfortable at rest but may develop symptoms with ordinary activities, yet not to the extent that this patient describes.

• NYHA class IV represents the most severe limitation, where patients have difficulty even at rest and experience discomfort with any physical activity, which does not match this patient's experience of symptoms only