Shortness of breath

Date Updated: 06/13/2020

Definition

Few sensations are as frightening as not being able to get enough air. Shortness of breath — known medically as dyspnea — is often described as an intense tightening in the chest, air hunger, difficulty breathing, breathlessness or a feeling of suffocation.

Very strenuous exercise, extreme temperatures, obesity and higher altitude all can cause shortness of breath in a healthy person. Outside of these examples, shortness of breath is likely a sign of a medical problem.

If you have unexplained shortness of breath, especially if it comes on suddenly and is severe, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Causes

Most cases of shortness of breath are due to heart or lung conditions. Your heart and lungs are involved in transporting oxygen to your tissues and removing carbon dioxide, and problems with either of these processes affect your breathing.

Shortness of breath that comes on suddenly (called acute) has a limited number of causes, including:

Anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction)
Asthma
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Cardiac tamponade (excess fluid around the heart)
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) exacerbation — worsening of symptoms
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Heart attack
Heart arrhythmia (heart rhythm problems)
Heart failure
Pneumonia (and other pulmonary infections)
Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in an artery in the lung)
Sudden blood loss
Upper airway obstruction (blockage in the breathing passage)

In the case of shortness of breath that has lasted for weeks or longer (called chronic), the condition is most often due to:

Asthma
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) exacerbation — worsening of symptoms
Deconditioning
Heart dysfunction
Interstitial lung disease
Obesity
Pleural effusion (accumulation of fluid around the lungs)

A number of other health conditions also can make it hard to get enough air. These include:

Lung problems

Croup (especially in young children)
Lung cancer
Pleurisy (inflammation of the membrane surrounding the lungs)
Pulmonary edema (excess fluid in the lungs)
Pulmonary fibrosis (scarred and damaged lungs)
Pulmonary hypertension
Sarcoidosis (collections of inflammatory cells in the body)
Tuberculosis

Heart problems

Cardiomyopathy (problem with the heart muscle)
Heart failure
Pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue around the heart)

When to see a doctor

Seek emergency medical care

Call 911 or your local emergency number or have someone drive you to the emergency room if you experience severe shortness of breath that comes on suddenly and affects your ability to function. Seek emergency medical care if your shortness of breath is accompanied by chest pain, fainting, nausea, a bluish tinge to lips or nails, or a change in mental alertness — as these may be signs of a heart attack or pulmonary embolism.

Make a doctor's appointment

Make an appointment with your doctor if your shortness of breath is accompanied by:

Swelling in your feet and ankles
Trouble breathing when you lie flat
High fever, chills and cough
Wheezing
Worsening of preexisting shortness of breath

Self-care

To help keep chronic shortness of breath from getting worse:

Stop smoking. Quit smoking, or don't start. Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. If you have COPD, quitting can slow the progression of the disease and prevent complications.
Avoid exposure to pollutants. As much as possible, avoid breathing allergens and environmental toxins, such as chemical fumes or secondhand smoke.
Avoid extremes in temperature. Activity in very hot and humid or very cold conditions may magnify the dyspnea caused by chronic lung diseases.
Have an action plan. If you have a medical condition that causes shortness of breath, discuss with your doctor what to do if your symptoms become worse.
Keep elevation in mind. When traveling to areas with higher altitude, take time to adjust and avoid exertion until then.
Exercise regularly. Exercise can help improve physical fitness and the ability to tolerate activity. Exercise — along with weight loss if you're overweight — may help decrease any contribution to shortness of breath from deconditioning. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.
Take your medications. Skipping medications for chronic lung and cardiac conditions can lead to poorer control of dyspnea.
Regularly check your equipment. If you rely on supplemental oxygen, be sure your supply is adequate and the equipment works properly.