In short: Shortness of breath can come from the lungs, the heart, the blood, reduced fitness, or a combination of these. A structured work-up leads to a diagnosis in most cases, and often shows that the condition can be improved.
Possible causes
- Lung diseases: asthma, COPD, interstitial lung diseases
- Heart disease and pulmonary hypertension
- Anaemia
- Reduced fitness or weight gain
- An inefficient breathing pattern
- Prolonged shortness of breath after COVID-19 or another infection
How it is evaluated
We start with a consultation and physical examination, spirometry and basic blood tests (such as a blood count) and, where needed, full pulmonary function tests, imaging and an echocardiogram. When the answer is not clear, a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) shows, during exercise itself, what is limiting you: the lungs, the heart, the muscles or the breathing pattern. The test is performed at a dedicated testing centre, and we interpret it and integrate the results into the full picture.
Air hunger and inefficient breathing
Some people feel "air hunger": a need to breathe deeply or yawn to complete a breath, sometimes at rest or under stress. Usually this is not lung disease but an inefficient breathing pattern (dysfunctional breathing). It is common, including in people with asthma, and once other causes have been ruled out it usually improves with breathing retraining from a respiratory physiotherapist.
Breathlessness during exercise
Shortness of breath during training or reduced endurance in active people calls for a targeted work-up. Read more: Breathlessness during exercise.
Related topics
General information only; it does not replace a medical consultation. עברית