Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Shortness of breath is a common symptom that may come on rapidly or gradually. If you are experiencing shortness of breath, that does not mean you should necessarily be worried aboutlung canceror serious conditions such as heart disease—but you should see your doctor as soon as you can.
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There are many causes of shortness of breath, and they are treatable. You will need to talk to your doctor, have a physical examination, and probably diagnostic tests to learn why you are short of breath.
Most people describe this symptom as a subjective sensation of difficulty with breathing. You may have a feeling of being unable to get enough air in or that it takes more effort than usual to breathe. Some people also describe a sensation of chest tightness.
Shortness of breath can come on rapidly in a matter of minutes or hours, or it can wax and wane for days, weeks, months, or even years.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Sometimes it can be hard to know how serious your shortness of breath is. In fact, sometimes the most severe shortness of breath can be something that’s not life-threatening—like hyperventilation or a panic attack, and the mildest symptoms can be related to serious causes.
When to Call 911Symptoms that suggest shortness of breath may be serious include:Chest painA bluish tinge to your fingers or lips (cyanosis)Swelling or a feeling of fullness in your throat or lipsLightheadednessInability to talk due to difficulty breathingRapid worsening of your symptomsRedness or swelling of your legsCoughing up bloodIf you are trying to decide whether to call 911, it’s best to get urgent help.
When to Call 911
Symptoms that suggest shortness of breath may be serious include:Chest painA bluish tinge to your fingers or lips (cyanosis)Swelling or a feeling of fullness in your throat or lipsLightheadednessInability to talk due to difficulty breathingRapid worsening of your symptomsRedness or swelling of your legsCoughing up bloodIf you are trying to decide whether to call 911, it’s best to get urgent help.
Symptoms that suggest shortness of breath may be serious include:
If you are trying to decide whether to call 911, it’s best to get urgent help.
Some of the causes of shortness of breath can be life-threatening and need immediate medical attention.
Medical Terms
You will see different terms used related to shortness of breath. A quick rundown of some of these terms include:
Respiratory Rate
Anormal respiratory ratein adults is considered to be between 12 and 20 breaths per minute at rest and varies with children depending on age.
It’s important to note that you may feel short of breath with a normal respiratory rate. The opposite is also true, you could have an abnormal respiratory rate without any difficulty breathing.
In 85 percent of people, shortness of breath is due to a medical condition that affects the heart or the lungs.
Common
Some of the more common causes include:
Other common causes include:
Less Common
Less common, but important, causes of shortness of breath may include:
Before dismissing shortness of breath as being due to inactivity, talk to your healthcare professional.
It’s important to make an appointment to see your healthcare professional if you develop shortness of breath, even if you think you might know the reason to explain your symptoms. They will take a careful history and do a physical exam.
Some of the questions they may ask include:
Wheezing When Breathing and What Causes It
Tests and Imaging
The diagnostic tests you may need will depend on your particular symptoms and physical findings.
Tests you might have include:
Other tests may include:
Dyspnea and COPD
Dyspnea is very common with COPD. Your doctor may use themodified Medical Research Council dyspnea scaleto identify the severity of your dyspnea.
Evaluating Shortness of Breath
The treatment of your shortness of breath will depend on the cause, but the most important first step is to make sure you are getting enough air to supply your tissues with the oxygen they need. This is referred to as the ABC’s:
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7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wahls SA.Causes and evaluation of chronic dyspnea.Am Fam Physician.John Hopkins University. Heart & Vascular Institute.Shortness of breath.Whited L, Graham DD.Abnormal respirations. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Chourpiliadis C, Bhardwaj A.Physiology, respiratory rate. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Cleveland Clinic.Emphysema: Diagnosis and tests.Munari AB, Gulart AA, Dos santos K, Venâncio RS, Karloh M, Mayer AF.Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale in GOLD Classification better reflects physical activities of daily living.Respir Care. 2018;63(1):77-85. doi:10.4187/respcare.05636Guly HR.ABCDEs.Emerg Med J. 2003;20(4):358. doi:10.1136/emj.20.4.358Additional ReadingKasper DL, Fauci AS, Hauser SL.Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. New York: McGraw Hill education.MedlinePlus.Breathing difficulty.Nishino T.Dyspnoea: underlying mechanisms and treatment.British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2011;106(4):463-74. doi:10.1093/bja/aer040
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Wahls SA.Causes and evaluation of chronic dyspnea.Am Fam Physician.John Hopkins University. Heart & Vascular Institute.Shortness of breath.Whited L, Graham DD.Abnormal respirations. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Chourpiliadis C, Bhardwaj A.Physiology, respiratory rate. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Cleveland Clinic.Emphysema: Diagnosis and tests.Munari AB, Gulart AA, Dos santos K, Venâncio RS, Karloh M, Mayer AF.Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale in GOLD Classification better reflects physical activities of daily living.Respir Care. 2018;63(1):77-85. doi:10.4187/respcare.05636Guly HR.ABCDEs.Emerg Med J. 2003;20(4):358. doi:10.1136/emj.20.4.358Additional ReadingKasper DL, Fauci AS, Hauser SL.Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. New York: McGraw Hill education.MedlinePlus.Breathing difficulty.Nishino T.Dyspnoea: underlying mechanisms and treatment.British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2011;106(4):463-74. doi:10.1093/bja/aer040
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Wahls SA.Causes and evaluation of chronic dyspnea.Am Fam Physician.John Hopkins University. Heart & Vascular Institute.Shortness of breath.Whited L, Graham DD.Abnormal respirations. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Chourpiliadis C, Bhardwaj A.Physiology, respiratory rate. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.Cleveland Clinic.Emphysema: Diagnosis and tests.Munari AB, Gulart AA, Dos santos K, Venâncio RS, Karloh M, Mayer AF.Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale in GOLD Classification better reflects physical activities of daily living.Respir Care. 2018;63(1):77-85. doi:10.4187/respcare.05636Guly HR.ABCDEs.Emerg Med J. 2003;20(4):358. doi:10.1136/emj.20.4.358
Wahls SA.Causes and evaluation of chronic dyspnea.Am Fam Physician.
John Hopkins University. Heart & Vascular Institute.Shortness of breath.
Whited L, Graham DD.Abnormal respirations. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Chourpiliadis C, Bhardwaj A.Physiology, respiratory rate. In:StatPearls[Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
Cleveland Clinic.Emphysema: Diagnosis and tests.
Munari AB, Gulart AA, Dos santos K, Venâncio RS, Karloh M, Mayer AF.Modified Medical Research Council dyspnea scale in GOLD Classification better reflects physical activities of daily living.Respir Care. 2018;63(1):77-85. doi:10.4187/respcare.05636
Guly HR.ABCDEs.Emerg Med J. 2003;20(4):358. doi:10.1136/emj.20.4.358
Kasper DL, Fauci AS, Hauser SL.Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. New York: McGraw Hill education.MedlinePlus.Breathing difficulty.Nishino T.Dyspnoea: underlying mechanisms and treatment.British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2011;106(4):463-74. doi:10.1093/bja/aer040
Kasper DL, Fauci AS, Hauser SL.Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. New York: McGraw Hill education.
MedlinePlus.Breathing difficulty.
Nishino T.Dyspnoea: underlying mechanisms and treatment.British Journal of Anaesthesia. 2011;106(4):463-74. doi:10.1093/bja/aer040
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