Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea): Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Care

Cardiovascular Causes

• Heart failure – dyspnea on exertion or when lying flat
• Myocardial infarction – sudden chest pain and breathlessness
• Valvular heart disease – severity-dependent dyspnea

Pulmonary Causes

• Asthma – episodic wheezing, coughing, breathlessness
• COPD (chronic bronchitis/emphysema) – chronic dyspnea, cough, sputum
• Pneumonia – fever, cough, chest pain, dyspnea
• Pulmonary embolism – sudden dyspnea, chest pain, syncope

Other Respiratory Conditions

• Anaphylaxis – acute airway swelling
• Sleep apnea – nocturnal breathing pauses, daytime sleepiness
• Vocal cord dysfunction – paradoxical vocal fold motion

Systemic and Other Causes

• Anemia – reduced oxygen-carrying capacity
• Deconditioning – exertional dyspnea after inactivity
• Obesity – increased respiratory and cardiac workload
• High altitude – hypobaric hypoxia
• Anxiety/panic attacks – hyperventilation
• Medication side effects (e.g., beta-blockers, NSAIDs, chemotherapy)
• Thyroid disorders, kidney disease, cancer, liver disease

When to See a Doctor

Persistent or unexplained shortness of breath requires prompt medical evaluation for accurate diagnosis and management.