What should you know about chest discomfort and shortness of breath?

Breathlessness can feel like air hunger, fast breathing or difficulty completing sentences. Asthma, COPD, acute bronchitis and bronchiectasis can affect the airways and lungs. Anaemia can reduce the blood’s oxygen-carrying capacity and cause exertional breathlessness. Angina may cause pressure with activity, while atrial fibrillation can produce an irregular heartbeat and reduced exercise tolerance. Anaphylaxis can rapidly cause breathing difficulty with swelling or hives. These symptoms overlap and need context rather than self-diagnosis.

Stop exertion, sit upright and loosen tight clothing. Avoid smoke and do not drive if you feel faint or severely breathless. If you have a prescribed rescue medicine or action plan, follow it as directed. Note the time symptoms began, what you were doing, the character of the discomfort and any palpitations, fever, swelling or wheeze. A clinician may check your heart rhythm, lungs, oxygen level and blood tests.

Call emergency services for severe or sudden breathlessness, chest pressure, fainting, blue lips, confusion, coughing blood, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back. Get immediate help for breathing difficulty with facial or tongue swelling, widespread hives or sudden weakness. Same-day assessment is appropriate for new symptoms, discomfort brought on by exertion, a racing or irregular heartbeat, or breathlessness that is worsening.

Ask which causes need checking first, whether you need an ECG, chest imaging or blood tests, and what activity is safe while symptoms are being assessed. Share your medical history, medicines, allergies, recent infection, smoking exposure and any pattern linked to exercise, meals or position.