Feeling out of breath after I walk up a flight of stairs

depends.

on…?

If you run it could be a sign of overtraining. Normal actives when you're not running feel fatiguing. That's a big red flag for being overtrained.

I wouldn’t say I feel fatigued though. My legs just burn a little and I can feel myself breathing a little heavier

Still, it could be a sign that you're either pushing too hard in training or not getting adequate recovery, hydration, etc.

Simple answer; like 95% of the population, you are out of shape.

check your iron

Is your first name Luke?

If we are talking about possible running-related causes, as others have mentioned, it could be overtraining, severe dehydration or heat stroke.

This happened to me 10 years ago. I was 54 years old and running 40+ mpw at sub 7:00 pace but I would lose breathe walking up steps or even lecturing in school.

Then, 2 miles into a 5k I had an asthma attack! I was 54! Never had asthma, now I do.

How old are you? what kind of shape are you in? I assume if you’re here you run?

There is a known aging-related phenomenon in which the older you are, the longer it will take your cardiopulmonary system to ‘warm up’. so let’s say you are 50 and can run a 6 min mile. You’re in the great shape for your age….or for any age. however if you are walking and suddenly try to walk up a flight of stairs, you will feel winded quickly. this probably wouldn’t have happened in your 30s

just my observations from being a 40s runner and reading cardiopulmonary exercise tests in older folks.

This is very interesting. I noticed when I got into my 50s that not only did I gradually slow down but the time I needed to warm up got much longer. If I tried to do some sudden effort I would feel like my lungs were going to explode, but after a couple of minutes everything would settle down to normal. I didn't know this is a common effect of aging.

It's normal, I'm 30 and in decent running shape and it happens to me. I wouldn't overreact.

yes when I was 30, able to run sub 2:30 marathon, and doing 100 MPW, I was out of breath going up a flight of stairs...I could have been overtrained, I don't know, but i doubt it means you are out of shape.

Same. I didn’t need to warm up much in my early 30s. Now, I’m 45 and it takes a mile or two for me to ease into a good pace.

I just ran a 3:09 marathon on 37-38 miles per week average, so I’m not overtraining. Yes, I get a little winded walking up more than 1 floor of stairs. I do 2 steps at once, so maybe that is a factor.

Op — Get checked for afib.

I would not worry too much unless it is really limiting you. I run 5km-50km races and do okay but sometimes if I have to run across the parking lot or after my kids up some stairs I am winded.

I think it has to do with being in a "resting state" when I start to go up the stairs. If I were running running, I'd be fine. But if I am at work, sitting all day, and then go upstairs it can feel hard for me too.

How do your runs feel?

p.s. I just saw Jogger262's post. That is correct.

I'm the same way - in pretty good shape, have run for years, but get winded going up stairs and sometimes light headed just when standing up after sitting for a while or if my head has been below my center of gravity. Maybe it's POTS?

How long is the flight? One storey? I mean... if you think there is something wrong get it checked out. We can't tell you. If you are a fit runner, what are your runs like?