lung and airway disorders
Shortness of Breath
Key Points
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) is usually caused by lung or heart disorders. In people with a chronic lung disorder (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or heart disorder (such as heart failure), the most common cause of dyspnea is a flare-up of the chronic disorder, but these people can also develop a new problem (such as a heart attack) that contributes to or causes dyspnea. People who have dyspnea at rest, a decreased level of consciousness, or confusion should go to the hospital immediately for emergency evaluation. To determine the severity of the problem, doctors measure oxygen levels in the blood with a sensor placed on a finger (pulse oximetry). Doctors evaluate people for inadequate delivery of blood and oxygen to the heart (myocardial ischemia) and for pulmonary embolism, but sometimes symptoms of these disorders are vague. 