Breathing heavily is a common physical response to exertion or stress. WHEEZE, PANT, and puff are all terms used to describe the act of breathing heavily. WHEEZE is a term used to describe a whistling sound made when breathing heavily. Panting is a rapid, shallow form of breathing that is often associated with exhaustion. Puffing is a term used to describe a short, deep breath taken when breathing heavily. All three terms can be used to describe the act of breathing heavily, also known as 'breathe heavily'.