Before going to sleep, I seem to have breathing issues. The breathing issues only happen if I'm laying down on my back. The breathing issues go away if I have something placed on my chest such as my hands or if I'm holding onto a pillow on my chest.

Maybe this is an anxiety problem? I'm in great health. I'm at a healthy weight and eat just ok. I can run 6 miles with ease.

This has been an issue for as long as I can remember. I don't know what it could be.

As you dont appear to have a lung problem, breathlessness while lying on your back could indicate a heart valve problem or high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is normal lying on your back, then it is probably a valve problem.

A floppy Mitral heart valve can be without major symptoms in the early stages and breathlessness lying down,varying with body position could be an early symptom. Anxiety states can also cause increased adrenaline which can affect the mitral valve.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9070556

A lot of MVP problems can be due to low magnesium and can be alleviated with a high absorbable magnesium supplement. Try it for a couple of months, if no improvement see your doctor.

https://www.iherb.com/Doctor-s-Best-H...ets/16567?at=0