What should you know about excessive sweating shortness of breath and fatigue?

Breathlessness and fatigue can occur with respiratory conditions such as Acute Bronchitis, Asthma, Bronchiectasis or COPD. Anaemia may reduce oxygen delivery and leave a person tired or breathless with activity. Angina can cause pressure or discomfort with exertion and may be accompanied by sweating or breathlessness. Atrial Fibrillation can produce a racing or irregular heartbeat, reduced exercise tolerance and fatigue. Anaphylaxis may cause sudden breathing difficulty with swelling, wheeze, rash, dizziness or stomach symptoms. The combination does not identify one cause, and its onset and severity are crucial.

Stop exertion, sit upright and note when symptoms began, what triggered them and whether chest discomfort, palpitations, fever or wheezing is present. Use a prescribed reliever inhaler only according to your personal action plan. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint, confused or severely breathless. Keep a list of medicines and medical conditions available for the clinician.

Call emergency services immediately for severe or sudden breathlessness, chest pressure, pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back, blue or grey lips, fainting, confusion, inability to speak normally, or signs of Anaphylaxis such as swelling of the mouth or throat. Seek same-day medical advice for new or worsening symptoms, breathlessness at rest, a racing heartbeat, coughing blood or marked weakness. Do not wait for symptoms to become more severe.

Could my heart, lungs, blood count or medicines be contributing? Do I need an ECG, blood tests or breathing assessment? What warning signs should prompt emergency action?