Symptom guide · General Practice & Family Medicine
Shortness of Breath
What shortness of breath can point to, how urgent it is, and who assesses it in the UAE.
Also known as breathlessness, dyspnoea
Treat this as a medical emergency
Shortness of breath can be the first sign of a heart attack or another life-threatening chest problem. Do not drive yourself and do not wait to see whether it settles.
Go now if any of these apply
- Pressure, tightness or crushing pain in the chest lasting more than a few minutes
- Pain spreading to the jaw, neck, back, shoulder or either arm
- Cold sweat, nausea, or a sense of impending doom
- Sudden breathlessness at rest, or breathlessness with chest discomfort
- Fainting, or a racing or irregular heartbeat with the pain
Call 998 for an ambulance now, or go straight to the nearest hospital emergency department.
At a glance
Quick facts
- Also known as
- breathlessness, dyspnoea
- Body region
- Chest
- Care area
- General Practice & Family Medicine
- Conditions linked
- 23
Possible causes
Conditions that can cause shortness of breath
Listed alphabetically. This list is not ranked by likelihood.
- Acute BronchitisCommon among people with acute bronchitis.
- AnaemiaVery common among people with anaemia. Long-term condition.
- Anaemia in CancerCommon among people with anaemia in cancer.
- AnaphylaxisVery common among people with anaphylaxis.
- AnginaCommon among people with angina. Long-term condition.
- AsthmaVery common among people with asthma. Long-term condition.
- Atrial FibrillationCommon among people with atrial fibrillation. Long-term condition.
- Blood Clots in CancerCommon among people with blood clots in cancer.
- BronchiectasisCommon among people with bronchiectasis. Long-term condition.
- COPDVery common among people with COPD. Long-term condition.
- COVID-19Very common among people with COVID-19.
- Generalised Anxiety DisorderCommon among people with generalised anxiety disorder. Long-term condition.
- Heart FailureVery common among people with heart failure. Long-term condition.
- Iron Deficiency AnaemiaCommon among people with iron deficiency anaemia. Long-term condition.
- Lung CancerVery common among people with lung cancer.
- Malignant Pleural EffusionVery common among people with malignant pleural effusion.
- MesotheliomaVery common among people with mesothelioma.
- ObesityVery common among people with obesity. Long-term condition.
- Panic DisorderVery common among people with panic disorder. Long-term condition.
- PneumoniaVery common among people with pneumonia.
- Pulmonary EmbolismVery common among people with pulmonary embolism.
- Superior Vena Cava ObstructionVery common among people with superior vena cava obstruction.
- ThymomaCommon among people with thymoma.
These figures describe how often each condition causes this symptom — not how likely it is that this symptom is caused by that condition. Most symptoms have a common, harmless explanation.
Treatment by cause
How the causes of shortness of breath are treated
Treatment follows the diagnosis, not the symptom. Each row is a linked condition and a treatment used for it.
| If the cause is | Treatment used | Line |
|---|---|---|
| Asthma | Inhaler Therapy | First line |
| Asthma | Spirometry | First line |
| COPD | Inhaler Therapy | First line |
| COPD | Spirometry | First line |
| COPD | Smoking Cessation Programme | First line |
| Pneumonia | Chest X-Ray | First line |
| Pneumonia | Antibiotic Treatment | First line |
| Anaemia | Blood Test | First line |
| Iron Deficiency Anaemia | Blood Test | First line |
| Iron Deficiency Anaemia | Iron Supplementation | First line |
| Iron Deficiency Anaemia | Iron Therapy | First line |
| Iron Deficiency Anaemia | Tranexamic Acid for Heavy Bleeding | First line |
| Heart Failure | Electrocardiogram | First line |
| Heart Failure | Chronic Disease Review | First line |
| Obesity | Weight Management Programme | First line |
| Obesity | Weight Loss Injections | First line |
| Asthma | Nebuliser Treatment | Second line |
| Asthma | Allergy Testing | Second line |
| Asthma | Chronic Disease Review | Second line |
| COPD | Chronic Disease Review | Second line |
| Pneumonia | Pneumococcal Vaccination | Second line |
| Anaemia | Iron Supplementation | Second line |
| Iron Deficiency Anaemia | Nutrition Counselling | Second line |
| Iron Deficiency Anaemia | Hormonal Coil | Second line |
Find care
General Clinics & Polyclinics in Abu Dhabi
Where shortness of breath is assessed depends on what is causing it. These are licensed general clinics & polyclinics listed in Abu Dhabi.
27 Ar Ruwwad St - Shakhbout City - MSH4 - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
Accepts: Daman, Thiqa, Cigna, MetLife +20 more
Al Ruwais, Al Dhafrah
Accepts: Daman, Thiqa, AXA, Cigna +16 more
Al Bahyah - Al Bahyah Old - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
Accepts: Daman, Thiqa, Cigna, Allianz Care +18 more
Abu Dhabi
Accepts: Daman, Thiqa, AXA, Cigna +27 more
Ordered by verification status and how complete each clinic's public record is, then alphabetically. This is a directory listing, not a ranking — Zavis does not rate or recommend providers.
A factual listing drawn from the DHA, DOH and MOHAP licence registers. It is not a referral, an endorsement, or advice that any of these providers is right for you.
Symptom relief
Treatments used to relieve shortness of breath
Related symptoms
Other chest symptoms
Find care
Who assesses this in the UAE
These are the specialties that treat the conditions linked to this symptom. Every listed doctor holds a UAE licence.
Questions people ask
Can shortness of breath be a sign of asthma?
Yes. Shortness of breath: very common among people with asthma. It does not work the same way in reverse — for most people with this symptom the cause turns out to be something else, and more common — so it is not a diagnosis on its own.
Can shortness of breath be a sign of COPD?
Yes. Shortness of breath: very common among people with COPD. It does not work the same way in reverse — for most people with this symptom the cause turns out to be something else, and more common — so it is not a diagnosis on its own.
Can shortness of breath be a sign of pneumonia?
Yes. Shortness of breath: very common among people with pneumonia. It does not work the same way in reverse — for most people with this symptom the cause turns out to be something else, and more common — so it is not a diagnosis on its own.
Can shortness of breath be a sign of anaemia?
Yes. Shortness of breath: very common among people with anaemia. It does not work the same way in reverse — for most people with this symptom the cause turns out to be something else, and more common — so it is not a diagnosis on its own.
Keep reading
More about shortness of breath
- Can shortness of breath be a sign of asthma?
- Can inhaler therapy help with shortness of breath?
- Can shortness of breath be a sign of COPD?
- Can nebuliser treatment help with shortness of breath?
- Can shortness of breath be a sign of pneumonia?
- Can smoking cessation programme help with shortness of breath?
- Can shortness of breath be a sign of anaemia?
- Can anaphylaxis emergency treatment help with shortness of breath?
Medical disclaimer. This page is general health information, not medical advice, and it cannot diagnose you. Always consult a licensed healthcare provider about your own symptoms and treatment. In an emergency in the UAE, call 998 for an ambulance.