Shortness of breath might not be anything to worry about. But sometimes it can be serious and you'll need to get medical help.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 if:
- your chest feels tight or heavy
- you have pain when you breathe
- you have pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck and jaw
- you feel sick or are getting sick
- your lips or skin are turning very pale, blue or grey (on brown or black skin this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands)
- you feel suddenly confused
You could be having a heart attack or a problem with your lungs or airway.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 or go to the nearest emergency department (ED) if your child:
- stops breathing
- has rapid breathing or panting
- suddenly makes loud noises when breathing in or out
- is finding it hard to get their breath and is sucking their stomach in under their ribs
Non-urgent advice: Contact a GP if
- you have shortness of breath and:
- it's lasted for longer than 1 month
- it gets worse when you have been active
- it gets worse when you lie down
- you have been coughing for 3 weeks or more
- you have coughed up blood
- swollen ankles
Causes of shortness of breath
Shortness of breath can be caused by lots of different things, such as:
- a cold
- chest infection
- obesity
- smoking
It can also be a sign of a panic attack.
But it could be caused by something more serious, such as:
- asthma
- lung cancer
- heart failure
- scarring of the lungs (pulmonary fibrosis)
- a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Any treatment you may need will depend on what's causing your symptoms.
Do not try to diagnose the cause of your shortness of breath yourself - always contact a GP.
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
