Shortness of Breath: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Shortness of Breath?
A primary care doctor, such as an internal medicine doctor, often looks for the cause of shortness of breath first. You may then see a pulmonologist (a lung doctor) or a cardiologist (a heart doctor), depending on the cause. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is shortness of breath?
Shortness of breath means it is hard or uncomfortable to take in the oxygen your body needs. You may feel as if you are not getting enough air. Doctors also call it dyspnea or breathlessness.
There is no standard definition for difficulty breathing. It is a feeling, so only the person who feels it can say whether it is happening.
Sometimes mild breathing trouble is normal. A very stuffy nose is one example. Hard exercise is another, especially when you do not exercise often. But shortness of breath can also be a sign of a serious disease.
Symptoms
Shortness of breath can feel like difficult breathing, uncomfortable breathing, or a feeling that you are not getting enough air. Wheezing is one form of breathing trouble. It is a high-pitched sound that you make when you breathe out.
Causes and who gets it
Shortness of breath has many different causes. Heart disease can cause it when your heart cannot pump enough blood to supply oxygen to your body. If your brain, muscles, or other organs do not get enough oxygen, you may feel breathless. Common groups of causes include:
- Lung problems, such as pneumonia, a blood clot in the arteries of the lungs, high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema).
- Airway problems, such as a blockage in the nose, mouth, or throat, choking on something stuck in the airways, croup (swelling around the vocal cords), or epiglottitis (inflammation of the tissue that covers the windpipe).
- Heart problems, such as angina (chest pain from poor blood flow through the blood vessels of the heart), a heart attack, heart failure, heart rhythm problems, or heart defects from birth.
- Other causes, such as anemia (low hemoglobin), allergies, anxiety and panic attacks, obesity, dust in the environment, and high altitudes where there is less oxygen in the air.
How doctors diagnose it
Your provider will examine you and ask about your medical history and symptoms. Tests that may be ordered include:
- A test of the oxygen level in your blood, called pulse oximetry.
- Blood tests.
- A chest x-ray.
- A CT scan of the chest.
- An electrocardiogram (ECG) and an echocardiogram, which are heart tests.
- Exercise testing and lung function tests.
Treatment
You may receive medicines to treat the cause of the breathing trouble. If the breathing trouble is severe, you may need to go to a hospital. If your blood oxygen level is very low, you may need oxygen treatment.
If you are being treated for a long-term problem with your lungs or heart, follow your provider's directions to help with that problem.
When to see a doctor
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if your breathing trouble comes on suddenly or seriously gets in the way of breathing and even talking. Also call 911 if someone completely stops breathing.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you faint, have a sudden change in mental status such as confusion, or have chest pain or discomfort that lasts two minutes or more.
See your provider about any breathing trouble, even when the cause may not be dangerous. If breathing trouble is new or getting worse, it may be due to a serious problem. See your provider if breathing trouble comes with any of these:
- Chest discomfort, pain, or pressure (call 911 if it lasts two minutes or more).
- Fever.
- Shortness of breath after only slight activity or while at rest.
- Shortness of breath that wakes you up at night or makes you sleep propped up to breathe.
- Shortness of breath with simple talking.
- Tightness in the throat or a barking cough.
- You breathed in or choked on an object.
- Wheezing.
- Shortness of breath that is much worse than your usual.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can examine you, ask about your medical history, and arrange first tests. They can also help you follow your treatment plan for a long-term lung or heart problem and refer you to a lung or heart specialist when needed.
Common questions
Is shortness of breath always serious?
No, it is not always serious. Mild breathing trouble can be normal, such as with a very stuffy nose or hard exercise when you do not exercise often. If it is new or getting worse, it may be due to a serious problem, so contact your provider.
Can anxiety cause shortness of breath?
Yes, anxiety can cause shortness of breath. Panic attacks are also on the list of causes. Many other causes exist, so a provider should check any breathing trouble.
When is shortness of breath an emergency?
It is an emergency when breathing trouble comes on suddenly or seriously gets in the way of breathing and even talking. Call 911 or go to the emergency room, and call 911 if someone completely stops breathing.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
