Shortness of breath
When to call a doctor
You should call your GP immediately if you have sudden shortness of breath, as there may be a problem with your airways or heart.
Your GP will assess you over the phone, andmay either visit you at home or admit you to hospital. If your shortness of breath is the result of generalised anxiety disorder, you may be asked to come to the surgery rather than a home visit.
If you've struggled with your breathing for a while, don't ignore it. See your GP as it's likely you have a long-term condition, such as obesity , asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which needs to be managed properly.
Your doctor may ask you some questions, such as:
- Did the breathlessness come on suddenly or gradually?
- Did anything trigger it, such as exercise?
- How bad is it? Does it only happen when you've been active, or when you're not doing anything?
- Is there any pain when you breathe?
- Do you have a cough?
- Do certain positions make it worse for example, are you unable to lie down?
Feeling like you can't get enough air can be terrifying, but doctors are well trained in managing this. You may be given extra oxygen to breathe if this is needed.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Sudden shortness of breath, or breathing difficulty (dyspnoea), is the most common reason for visiting a hospital accident and emergency department.
When to call a doctor
You should call your GP immediately if you have sudden shortness of breath, as there may be a problem with your airways or heart. Your GP will assess you over the phone, andmay either visit you at hom
Causes of sudden shortness of breath
Sudden and unexpected breathlessness is most likely to be caused by one of the following health conditions. Click on the links below for more information about these conditions. A problem with your lu
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