Breathlessness and changes in breathing

Overview

Breathlessness is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It may be related to the lungs, heart or another cause. A new change should not automatically be put down to fitness, anxiety or an existing condition without considering the circumstances.

A useful description compares what you can do now with what was normal for you. Explain whether the problem came on suddenly, occurs at rest, wakes you at night or appears during a familiar task. Avoid testing your limits to collect information.

By telephone

The first role of a call may be to determine how urgently and where you need to be assessed. For a stable, previously investigated concern, discussion may also help clarify an existing plan, review reports and identify questions for the clinician managing your care.

Describe associated cough, chest discomfort, swelling, fever or palpitations. Say if the symptoms are happening while you speak. You do not need to complete a detailed history before telling the clinician that breathing has become difficult or that you feel markedly worse.

What cannot be done remotely

An ordinary telephone call cannot check oxygen levels, listen to the heart or lungs, or perform an ECG. Being able to speak does not rule out a serious problem. Examination and investigations are often necessary to understand new breathlessness.

A home-device reading should be shared if available, but must not delay care or outweigh worrying symptoms. Ask for a specific next step rather than accepting an unexplained assumption that this is your usual condition. Continuing review depends on the cause found.

What to prepare

• Describe onset and change from your normal activity level.
• Note chest pain, cough, swelling or waking breathless.
• Have previous diagnoses, test reports and treatment plans to hand.
• Mention recent illness, travel or immobility when giving your history.

Sources

• NHS: shortness of breath
• NHS: heart failure