Breathlessness

The symptoms of breathlessness are often described as:

• shortness of breath

• a tight or heavy feeling in your chest

• not being able to get enough air or catch your breath

• gasping for air

• rapid breathing

• feeling like you can’t breathe 

• feeling like it takes more effort to breathe

Several of your brain and body’s systems are involved in breathing. This means there are many potential causes of breathlessness linked to each area. These include:

• lungs: asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary hypertension, lung cancer

• heart: angina, heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms, structural heart disease

• muscles: myopathy, deconditioning

• nervous system: hyperventilation, breathing pattern disorders, dysautonomia

• blood and endocrine: anaemia, thyroid disease

Risk factors for breathlessness

You may have a higher chance of experiencing breathlessness if you:

• smoke

• are overweight 

• are anaemic 

• have anxiety and/or panic attacks

• have a chest infection

At Welbeck, you’ll see a consultant for an initial consultation. You’ll be asked to talk through your symptoms, medical history, and any medications you’re taking. 

Usually, your consultant will be able to narrow down which system needs investigating after your consultation. But in some cases, a wider series of tests is required to pinpoint the cause. 

The tests our consultants use to investigate breathlessness and make an accurate diagnosis are:

• blood tests

• lung function

• exercise testing

• echocardiogram

• lung and heart imaging

Once your consultant has identified the cause, they’ll be able to provide the most effective treatment plan for your breathlessness.

If you have an underlying condition, treating the condition is the most effective way to prevent your breathlessness.

You can also reduce your risk of breathlessness by stopping smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing your mental health.

On a day-to-day basis, the following may help to reduce your symptoms:

• practising breathing techniques

• avoiding breathing in irritating substances such as paint or car exhaust fumes

• avoiding physical activity when it’s very hot, cold, or humid

• avoiding physical activity outdoors when pollution levels are high

Mild breathlessness on its own doesn’t usually cause further complications. However, living with breathlessness that stops you from doing your day-to-day activities can impact your mental wellbeing and quality of life. 

Breathlessness can be serious and potentially life-threatening if you have an underlying condition and you don’t treat it. If you get a diagnosis and receive effective treatment, your symptoms should greatly reduce and may even go away.

Your treatment options will be based on your diagnosis. Your consultant may recommend 1 or more of the following in addition to targeted treatment for any underlying condition:

• oral medication

• inhaled medication

• oxygen therapy

• breathing therapy 

At Welbeck, our respiratory specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.