Smoking and Lung Conditions Increase Risk of Dysfunctional Breathing

More than one in 10 adults experience dysfunctional breathing symptoms like air hunger and chest tightness, even without having diagnosed lung disease People who currently smoke, or have a history of smoking and respiratory illness, face a dramatically higher risk of developing dysfunctional breathing patterns Dysfunctional breathing leads to overuse of neck and chest muscles, creating tension, fatigue, and shallow breathing that feeds a vicious cycle of stress and exhaustion Poor breathing habits interfere with heart function by reducing heart rate variability and disrupting the body's natural balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide Smoking worsens immune function, promotes oxidative stress, and triggers long-term biological changes that increase your risk for cancer, chronic illness, and dysfunctional breathing