Breathlessness is a common experience and can occur for many different reasons. Understanding what breathlessness is, and what can influence it, is often the first step towards feeling more confident and in control.
Breathlessness is a symptom, not a diagnosis
Most people experience breathlessness at some point in their lives. It can occur during exercise, illness, periods of stress or anxiety, or as a result of underlying health conditions.
Breathlessness, sometimes called shortness of breath, is the sensation that breathing requires more effort than usual. Some people describe feeling unable to get enough air, needing to take deep breaths, chest tightness, or feeling that breathing has become difficult or uncomfortable.
Although breathlessness can be frightening, the sensation itself does not automatically mean that something serious is happening. There are clear reasons why breathlessness can feel alarming even when the body is safe.
What causes breathlessness?
Breathlessness can occur for many different reasons. Examples of common causes include:
- Asthma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Chest infections
- Heart conditions
- Anaemia
- Deconditioning
- Excess body weight
- Breathing Pattern Disorder
- Anxiety and panic
In many people, several factors may contribute at the same time.
For example, someone may have mild asthma but also become less physically active because of their symptoms. Over time, reduced fitness can make everyday activities feel more difficult, increasing the sensation of breathlessness. This interaction is described in more detail in our guide to the breathlessness cycle.
Sometimes investigations come back reassuring and yet symptoms continue. If that has been your experience, you may find it helpful to read when tests are normal but breathlessness continues.
Understanding breathlessness is often the first step towards regaining confidence. The guides below explore some of the most common factors that can influence symptoms and explain why breathlessness can sometimes feel confusing, worrying or difficult to understand.