Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if:

You have severe difficulty breathing, or you are gasping, choking or not able to get words out.

You should also call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you have sudden shortness of breath and:

  • your chest feels tight or heavy
  • you have pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck or jaw
  • your lips or skin are turning very pale, blue or grey. On brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands
  • you feel suddenly confused

These symptoms could be caused by a heart attack or a serious problem with your lungs or airway.

Do not drive yourself to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Shortness of breath might not be anything to worry about, but sometimes it can be serious and you may need medical help.

Shortness of breath means feeling like you cannot get enough air, finding it hard to breathe, or becoming more breathless than usual.

Get advice from NHS 111 Wales

NHS 111 Wales has trusted health information about shortness of breath, including when to get help and possible causes.

Read the NHS 111 Wales shortness of breath guide
Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if your child has breathing problems

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if your child:

  • has difficulty breathing, for example they are making grunting noises or sucking their stomach in under their ribcage
  • has lips or skin that are turning very pale, blue or grey. On brown or black skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands
  • is suddenly confused, agitated, behaving oddly or crying constantly
  • is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do

If your child is limp, floppy or not responding normally, their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face.

Contact NHS 111 Wales if:

Contact NHS 111 Wales if:

  • you have difficulty breathing, or you are more short of breath than usual
  • you feel sick or are being sick
  • you are coughing up blood
  • you have pain or swelling in one of your legs
  • you have heart palpitations. This may feel like your heart is racing, going too slowly, skipping a beat, or like a fluttering feeling in your chest
Contact NHS 111 Wales
See a GP if:

See a GP if:

  • your shortness of breath gets worse when you have been doing your normal activities
  • your shortness of breath gets worse when you lie down
  • you feel short of breath and have swollen ankles
  • you have been coughing for 3 weeks or more

It is important to get medical advice to make sure it is nothing serious. You are not wasting anyone’s time by getting it checked.

Possible causes of shortness of breath

Shortness of breath has lots of different causes.

Common causes include asthma, a chest infection, being overweight, smoking, or a panic attack.

Sometimes shortness of breath can be a sign of something more serious, such as:

  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD
  • scarring of the lungs, known as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
  • heart failure
  • lung cancer

Any treatment you may need depends on what is causing your symptoms.

Do not try to self-diagnose the cause of shortness of breath. Always get medical advice.