Recognizing what's preventing you from breathing smoothly is the first step to understanding the strain that breathing problems put on your body. Why is breathing important, and how does a breathing problem put a strain on your body?
We breathe to oxygenate our bodies, which means that when we have breathing problems, we don't get enough oxygen. Lack of oxygen can cause damage to the brain, which is a leading cause of stroke, brain hemorrhage, cerebral infarction, and vascular dementia.
It also causes the heart to beat faster to make up for the lack of oxygen. If this condition continues, it can lead to cardiovascular disease.