Shortness of Breath

In a healthy person, extremely strenuous exercise, high temperatures, obesity and greater altitude may all cause shortness of breath.

Shortness of breath is probably a symptom of a medical condition outside of these examples.

In the case of shortness of breath (called chronic) that has lasted for weeks or longer, the condition is most likely attributable to:

• Asthma
• Exacerbation of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease): worsening of symptoms
• Deconditioning
• Dysfunction in the heart
• Pulmonary interstitial disorder
• Obesity
• Pleural effusion in patients (accumulation of fluid around the lungs)