Young, healthy but intolerant to exercise? You aren’t alone

Aditi Kurruppu, a 21-year-old from Delhi, first noticed breathlessness while exercising around eight months ago. Soon, long hours in the kitchen or short walks became equally tiring. The symptoms intensified in winter, when air pollution levels in the capital rose. “I can manage daily work, but can’t overexert myself,” says Aditi. Tests found her lungs to be structurally normal, but doctors noted a reduced exercise tolerance, which means her breathing capacity dropped during exertion.
Aditi’s is an example of exercise intolerance doctors are increasingly seeing among young adults. Rajiv Kumar, a 28-year-old, began feeling breathless during any activity that involved even minor strain two years ago. He assumed it was fatigue but the symptoms got worse during physical activity, particularly in winter. Cycling and routine tasks became difficult, forcing him to cut back on exercise. Medical evaluation didn’t reveal any obvious lung disease.