Overview
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) can be cardiac, pulmonary, hematologic, or psychiatric. Sudden onset with chest pain deserves emergency evaluation.
Symptoms to watch for
- Feeling unable to catch your breath
- Air hunger
- Chest tightness
- Rapid breathing
What else could this be?
- Asthma or COPD flare
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary embolism
- Heart failure
- Anemia
- Anxiety/panic
How it's diagnosed
Pulse ox, chest X-ray, ECG, D-dimer/CT PE, echocardiogram depending on suspicion.
Treatment
Treat the cause. Inhalers for airway disease, diuretics for heart failure, anticoagulation for PE.
When to book a visit
Book for chronic mild dyspnea. Call 911 for sudden severe shortness of breath.
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