When to seek medical attention
You might experience shortness of breath after a hard workout or exposure to harsh temperatures, but if your shortness of breath accompanies any of the following symptoms, you should get in touch with us immediately:
- Swelling in the ankles or feet
- A high fever along with a cough and/or chills
- Wheezing
- A worsening of your shortness of breath after using your inhaler
- Your breathlessness doesn’t go away within 30 minutes of rest
Common related conditions
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Asthma
- Anxiety Disorder
- Congestive heart failure (CHF)
If left untreated
If left untreated, shortness of breath could lead to heart failure or a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung), depending on the root cause. DispatchHealth is here when you need us for treatment of non-life-threatending conditions—contact us today to request care at your home.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Phil Mitchell MD, MS on July 24th, 2019