Breathlessness: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Breathlessness, also known as shortness of breath or dyspnoea, is the feeling of having difficulty breathing or not getting enough air into your lungs. It can occur during physical exertion, but breathlessness that develops suddenly or without an obvious reason may indicate an underlying health condition. Mild breathlessness is not always a cause for concern, but severe, frequent, or sudden symptoms may require urgent medical attention.

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What is Breathlessness (Dyspnoea)?

Dyspnoea is the medical term for breathlessness that makes you feel short of breath, like if you are not getting enough air into your lungs, and your body needs to work harder than usual to breathe. Shortness of breath during exercise or strenuous physical activity is very common and nothing to worry about. However, severe breathlessness, especially without an obvious reason, should be assessed by a healthcare professional.

What Causes Shortness of Breath?

Breathlessness can have many causes and may relate to the heart, lungs, nervous system, muscles, or other underlying health conditions. A detailed medical assessment helps identify the cause of your symptoms and guide appropriate treatment. Common causes may include:

  • Nervous system and breathing pattern disorders, including dysfunctional breathing, hyperventilation, and dysautonomia
  • Lung-related conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Heart-related concerns, such as abnormal heart rhythm, angina, coronary artery disease, or heart failure
  • Muscle-related issues, like myopathy and physical deconditioning
  • Other medical conditions, such as anaemia or thyroid disorders

Symptoms of Breathlessness in Adults

Breathlessness can feel different from person to person. Adults may experience:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Gasping or struggling to breathe normally
  • Wheezing or other unusual breathing sounds
  • Tightness, pressure, or heaviness in the chest
  • Rapid or shallow breathing
  • A feeling of anxiety or panic, particularly when breathing difficulties are severe

Signs of Breathlessness in Children

Breathing difficulties in children may not always be easy to recognise. Parents and carers can notice signs such as:

  • Breathing faster than usual
  • Pause in breathing, even if it lasts only a few moments
  • Working harder to breathe, such as pulling in around the ribs or neck
  • Nostrils widening or flaring with each breath
  • Difficulty feeding or crying normally because of breathing difficulties
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Types of Breathlessness (Dyspnoea)

Breathlessness can be classified as acute or chronic, depending on how quickly it develops and how long it lasts.

  • Acute Dyspnoea

    Acute dyspnoea develops suddenly and can last from minutes to hours. Possible causes include asthma, an allergic reaction, a panic attack, a chest infection, or a heart-related condition such as heart failure. Sudden or severe breathlessness, particularly when accompanied by chest pain, fainting, blue or grey lips, or severe difficulty breathing, requires urgent medical attention.

  • Chronic Dyspnoea

    Chronic dyspnoea can last for several weeks or longer and may occur during activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or exercising. Worsening or frequent symptoms should be thoroughly evaluated by a healthcare professional to identify the underlying cause and decide appropriate treatment.
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Risk Factors for Breathlessness

Certain health conditions and lifestyle factors can increase the risk of dyspnoea. These include:

  • Obesity
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Anaemia
  • Chest infection
  • Anxiety
  • Smoking

How Does Dr Lo Monaco Diagnose Dyspnoea?

Dr Lo Monaco diagnoses dyspnoea through a detailed physical examination and a review of your symptoms and medical history to determine whether it may be related to the heart, lungs, or another underlying condition. Depending on the initial assessment, he may also recommend further investigations to identify the cause of your breathlessness. These may include:

Blood Tests

Blood Pressure Monitoring

Chest X-ray

ECG

Exercise Tolerance Test

CT Scan, when breathlessness is severe and remains unexplained

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Breathlessness Treatment

Treatment for shortness of breath depends on its underlying cause and severity. Mild breathlessness improves with simple lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, and practising relaxation techniques. For severe or more frequent symptoms, Dr Lo Monaco may recommend medication alongside lifestyle changes to relieve symptoms and improve overall heart and lung health.

When to Seek Emergency Care?

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you have severe difficulty breathing, chest tightness, pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck, or jaw, or your skin turning pale, bluish, or grey.

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If you’ve recently had a specialist heart checkup and feel unsure about the diagnosis or treatment plan, getting a second opinion can provide the clarity you need. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Lo Monaco, an expert private cardiologist in London, or book your heart test/scan today for fast, specialist cardiac care.

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FAQs

Severe or sudden breathlessness can be life-threatening, particularly when caused by a heart or lung condition. Seek emergency care if you experience chest pain, fainting, or blue or grey skin, along with breathlessness.

Anxiety-related breathlessness often occurs with rapid breathing, a racing heartbeat, chest tightness, dizziness, trembling, or a panic attack. A medical assessment is necessary to rule out the underlying cause.

Red flags include severe or sudden breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, blue or grey lips or skin, or pain spreading to the arms, back, neck, or jaw. Call 999 or go to A&E immediately.

Stop physical activity, sit upright, loosen tight clothing, and try slow, controlled breathing. Severe or unexplained breathlessness requires urgent medical assessment.