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Hello Jack Constantino,   Your shortness of the breath could definitely be heart-related, especially considering your risk factors for heart disease (i.e. age, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol).   Coronary artery disease, which is the narrowing of the arteries that supply the heart with blood, can cause shortness of breath with exertion.  This occurs during exercise because the blood supply (therefore oxygen supply) to your heart does not meet the increased requirement of your heart's muscle cells.  Decreased oxygen to your heart can cause your heart to pump less effectively which then delivers less blood to your lungs, resulting in decreased amounts of oxygen and increased amounts of carbon dioxide in your blood.  Your brain senses these abnormalities and makes your feel short of breath.   Shortness of breath on exertion is a serious symptom and should be evaluated by your doctor immediately to determine its cause.  Blood tests, an EKG, and possibly an exercise stress test may be ordered to help figure out why you are short of breath.   To your health, Neil MD