What causes shortness of breath (dyspnea)?
Johns Hopkins Medicine Answered: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath (also called dyspnea) can sometimes be harmless as the result of exercise or nasal congestion. In other situations, it may be a sign of a more serious heart or lung disease. There are many causes for shortness of breath, from the benign and temporary to the more serious that may include: • Heart disease or heart attack (in this case, shortness of breath may be accompanied by swelling of the feet/ankles) • Lung disease • Emphysema • Pneumonia (breathlessness often accompanied by high fever, cough and mucus) • Asthma or allergies • Anemia (other symptoms characterized by fatigue and pale skin color) • Panic attacks • Airway obstructions, exposure to cigarette smoke or extreme exposure to dust or fumes • Obesity or lack of exercise • High altitudes • Blood flow disruption in getting oxygen to the brain • Intense emotional anxiety or stress When breathlessness is accompanied by chest pressure, tingling in the hand
