Shortness of breath

Also known as Breathlessness, Out of breath, Sensation of suffocation, and Dyspnea

What causes it?

The most common causes of shortness of breath are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd), asthma, and heart failure. Other possible causes, such as anxiety, are more rare.

What symptoms are related?

Within all the people who go to their doctor with shortness of breath, 66% report having sharp chest pain, 57% report having cough, and 29% report having wheezing.

What might my doctor prescribe?

Common Tests and Procedures

Patients with shortness of breath often receive radiographic imaging procedure, hematologic tests, plain x-ray, complete blood count, electrocardiogram, kidney function tests, glucose measurement and electrolytes panel .

Common Medications

The most commonly prescribed drugs for patients with shortness of breath include ipratropium, combivent, oxygen, norepinephrine, eptifibatide (integrilin), regadenoson (lexiscan), piperacillin (zosyn), albumin human, usp (albutein), bee pollen, nesiritide, dobutamine, l-methylfolate and nystatin .

Who is at risk?

Groups of people at highest risk for shortness of breath include age 75+ years age 60-74 years.