What should you know about occasional shortness of breath?

Breathlessness is the feeling that breathing takes extra effort or that you cannot draw in enough air. It can happen after activity, in hot weather, during anxiety, or with a chest infection. Asthma can cause episodes of wheezing, chest tightness, cough, and breathlessness; COPD and bronchiectasis can also affect airflow. Anaemia may reduce oxygen delivery and leave you short of breath with tiredness or a fast heartbeat. Heart-related causes such as angina or atrial fibrillation may cause breathlessness with chest discomfort, palpitations, or reduced exercise tolerance. A severe allergic reaction can swell the lips, tongue, or throat and requires emergency help.

Stop the activity, sit upright, loosen tight clothing, and breathe slowly. Move away from smoke, dust, or a suspected trigger. If you have a prescribed reliever inhaler, use it exactly as your clinician instructed. Record what you were doing, how long the episode lasted, associated cough or wheeze, and whether it settled with rest. Arrange a GP review if episodes recur, interfere with ordinary activities, occur at rest, or are becoming more frequent. Your clinician may examine your heart and lungs and review medicines, allergies, and health conditions.

Call emergency services for severe or rapidly worsening breathlessness, blue or grey lips, fainting, confusion, inability to speak in full sentences, severe chest pain, or swelling of the face, mouth, or throat. Seek prompt medical care for breathlessness with coughing blood, a high fever, one-sided leg swelling, or new palpitations. Do not drive yourself if breathing is seriously impaired.

Ask whether your pattern suggests asthma, anaemia, a lung condition, or a heart rhythm problem; whether you need breathing tests or blood tests; which symptoms should trigger urgent help; and how to use any inhaler safely.