A subjective sensation of difficult, uncomfortable, or insufficient breathing.
Also called dyspnea, shortness of breath can feel like breathlessness, chest tightness, difficulty getting enough air, or an inability to breathe comfortably. It can occur with respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic, neurological, or other conditions.
The intensity of the sensation does not always correspond directly to the severity of the underlying condition.
QUICK FACT
Shortness of breath is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and can arise from problems outside the lungs.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
Low oxygen saturation: reduced blood oxygen saturation can cause or accompany breathlessness, but a person can experience shortness of breath with a normal oxygen saturation.
SEE ALSO