What You Should Know About Shortness Of Breath On Exertion

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What You Should Know About Shortness of Breath on Exertion

Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — Written by The Healthline Editorial Team — Updated on July 19, 2019

Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to call 911

What is shortness of breath on exertion?

“Shortness of breath on exertion” is a term used to describe difficulty breathing when engaged in a simple activity like walking up a flight of stairs or going to the mailbox.

It’s also known as:

SOBOE
breathlessness on exertion
exertional dyspnea
dyspnea on effort
exertional breathlessness
short of breath with activity
dyspnea on exertion (DOE)

While each person experiences this symptom differently, it’s usually marked by feeling like you can’t catch your breath.

Normal breathing is relatively slow and occurs without much thought.

When you begin breathing faster and feel that the breath is shallower, that’s what shortness of breath feels like. You may switch from breathing through your nose to your mouth to try to get more air. When this happens without athletic exertion, it’s a concern.

Many people feel short of breath during strenuous activity if they aren’t accustomed to exercise.

But if you have a sudden onset of difficulty breathing doing routine day-to-day activities, it may be a medical emergency.

Shortness of breath on exertion is a sign that your lungs aren’t getting enough oxygen in or not getting enough carbon dioxide out. It can be a warning sign of something serious.

Causes of shortness of breath on exertion

Shortness of breath occurs as a result of the interaction of many physical and even psychological factors. A panic attack, for instance, is something triggered by the brain but with very real, physical symptoms. It could even be the result of environmental conditions if air quality is poor in your area.

All of the following can be connected to shortness of breath on exertion:

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
congestive heart failure
asthma
poor physical conditioning
late-stage pregnancy
anemia
pneumonia
pulmonary embolism
lung disease (interstitial fibrosis)
cancer tumor
obesity
kidney disease
liver disease

Diagnosing the underlying cause of shortness of breath

When you have shortness of breath on exertion, you should make an appointment to see your doctor. They will ask about your medical history and conduct an exam.

Tests will help determine the cause of your breathlessness. These tests may include:

chest X-ray
chest CT scan
exercise testing
pulmonary function studies (spirometry)
lab tests, including a blood test

Treating shortness of breath

Treatment for this condition will depend on the findings of the medical tests. Management will focus on treating the cause of the shortness of breath.

For instance, if it’s caused by asthma, your doctor may recommend you use an inhaler. If it’s a sign of poor physical condition, your doctor will likely suggest a fitness program.

You may simply have to cope with the symptom until the cause is resolved. In pregnancy, for instance, your breathlessness should improve after the baby is born.

How to recognize a potential medical emergency

A sudden onset of shortness of breath could be a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know experiences this, especially if it’s accompanied by the following:

air hunger (the feeling that no matter how deep you breathe, you still aren’t getting enough air)
gasping for breath
choking
chest pain
confusion
passing out or fainting
sweating profusely
pallor (pale skin)
cyanosis (bluish-colored skin)
dizziness
coughing up blood or bubbly, pinkish mucus

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Chronic obstructive pulmonarydisease (COPD). (2019).https://www.lung.ca/lung-health/lung-disease/copd/symptoms
Koehle M, et al. (2003).Exertional dyspnea in athletes.https://www.bcmj.org/articles/exertional-dyspnea-athletes
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2017).Heart failure.https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373142
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2019).Shortness of breath.http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/shortness-of-breath/basics/definition/sym-20050890
Morgan WC, et al. (1998).Diagnostic evaluation of dyspnea.http://www.aafp.org/afp/1998/0215/p711.html
Raman D. (2015). Dyspnea.http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/pulmonary/dyspnea/

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Medically reviewed by Stacy Sampson, D.O. — Written by The Healthline Editorial Team — Updated on July 19, 2019

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Causes of shortness of breath on exertion

Diagnosing the underlying cause of shortness of breath

Treating shortness of breath

How to recognize a potential medical emergency

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