When Is Shortness of Breath Serious?

Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, can be a sign of many different health concerns, including serious heart and lung conditions. Depending on its underlying cause, this uncomfortable, tight-chested sensation of “air hunger” — or not being able to take a deep breath or get enough air into your lungs — may come on abruptly or develop gradually, getting worse over time. 

At Fivestar Pulmonary Associates in Allen, McKinney, and Plano, Texas, our board-certified pulmonologists and critical care experts treat shortness of breath with the urgency it demands. Whether it’s sudden and unexplained (acute) or persistent and familiar (chronic), all cases of dyspnea are potentially serious and some are medical emergencies that require prompt care. 

Here, our seasoned team discusses common causes of shortness of breath and explains when it should prompt you to give us a call — or head to the nearest emergency department. 

What can cause shortness of breath?

Shortness of breath is a common occurrence during strenuous exercise, at high altitudes, or in extreme heat or poor air quality. But when dyspnea isn’t caused by a temporary situation — and isn’t related to a known health condition like obesity — it may be a sign of something more serious. 

Given that your heart and lungs work together to help you breathe normally, it’s not surprising that most cases of dyspnea arise from a condition that affects either element of this essential partnership. The problem can be acute or chronic. 

Acute dyspnea

Shortness of breath that comes on suddenly is called acute dyspnea. It tends to be brief, lasting anywhere between a few hours and a few days. Potential causes include:

• Acute severe asthma attack 
• Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction)
• Lung infection (i.e., COVID-19)
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot)
• Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
• Heart attack or arrhythmia
• Panic disorder or panic attack 

Seek immediate emergency care any time you experience sudden, unexplained dyspnea, since it may be a sign of a life-threatening medical condition. 

Chronic dyspnea

Chronic dyspnea develops slowly, lasting several weeks or longer. It may also be recurrent, meaning it temporarily eases and then returns. Persistent and progressive breathing difficulties may indicate:

• Chronic respiratory conditions (i.e., asthma)
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Chronic lung problems (i.e., pleural effusion)
• Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle disorder)
• Pericarditis (inflammation of your heart)
• Heart dysfunction; congestive heart failure 

Ongoing shortness of breath can occur with systemic conditions like anemia or low blood pressure; it can also be a side effect of certain medications, including beta-blockers. Shortness of breath that happens at night (paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea) is common with sleep apnea. 

Because chronic dyspnea has many possible causes, expert evaluation is the only way to get to the bottom of the problem. 

When is shortness of breath serious?

When it’s prompted by an obvious cause, such as running up a flight of stairs, shortness of breath is typically mild, quickly resolves on its own, and isn’t cause for concern. 

But there’s nothing normal about unexplained dyspnea — whether it’s acute or chronic — that arbitrarily appears while you’re exercising normally, walking, sitting still, or even resting in bed. There’s also nothing normal about severe shortness of breath.  

In either case, it’s important to seek expert care. Let’s take a closer look.

When to seek emergency care

Dyspnea is most worrisome when it’s sudden or severe, especially if it’s accompanied by other concerning symptoms like chest or shoulder pain, nausea, dizziness, fainting, a fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations), or a high fever. In these cases, immediate emergency care is vital. 

It’s also important to seek prompt emergency care if you can’t seem to catch your breath at all, still feel breathless after 30 minutes of rest, experience high-pitched (stridor) or whistling (wheezing) sounds when you draw in air, notice blue nails, lips, or skin, or have swollen ankles and feet (edema). 

When to seek expert diagnosis 

If you’ve been experiencing persistent and/or progressively worsening shortness of breath, expert evaluation and diagnosis are of utmost importance. Even in the absence of concerning symptoms like chest pain, wheezing, or edema, chronic dyspnea can be a sign of a serious medical condition that requires treatment. 

Whether you have persistent dyspnea during or after exercise, when you’re resting, or all of the above, any unexplained breathing changes warrant a visit to our office ASAP. Remember, you know your body best; don’t second-guess your instincts to seek care or dismiss your breathing difficulties with a wait-and-see approach. 

Get to the bottom of your shortness of breath today 

Shortness of breath can be scary. When it’s sudden, severe, or accompanied by worrisome symptoms, head to the nearest ER without delay. When it’s mild yet persistent, come see our team as soon as possible.  

Getting to the bottom of your breathing difficulties is the first step toward attaining long-lasting relief. After our comprehensive investigation determines the cause of your dyspnea, we develop a treatment plan to address the factors that are involved in your respiratory distress. 

To learn more, call or click online to schedule a visit at our office nearest you today.