Dizziness and shortness of breath

Breathlessness may feel like not getting enough air, chest tightness or unusually hard breathing. Asthma and Acute Bronchitis can narrow or irritate the airways. COPD and Bronchiectasis may cause ongoing breathing difficulty, often with cough or phlegm. Anaemia can reduce oxygen delivery and leave you breathless and light-headed during activity. Atrial Fibrillation can make the heartbeat irregular and affect exercise tolerance. Angina may cause chest discomfort with exertion, while Anaphylaxis can develop rapidly with swelling, wheeze or widespread symptoms.

The pattern, speed of onset, chest symptoms, pulse sensation and known lung or heart history help clinicians judge the cause.

Stop exertion and sit upright in a safe place. Loosen tight clothing, use a prescribed reliever inhaler according to your action plan, and avoid driving yourself if breathlessness or dizziness is significant. Note whether symptoms began suddenly, followed an allergen, or occur with exercise.

Call emergency services immediately for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, collapse, confusion, severe chest pressure, coughing blood, or swelling of the lips, tongue or throat. Sudden breathlessness with faintness, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, or rapidly worsening symptoms also needs emergency assessment.

Could my symptoms relate to my lungs, heart rhythm, blood count or an allergy? Do I need a breathing test, heart tracing or blood test? What should my personal action plan say if this happens again?