← Back to Symptoms A-Z

Shortness of Breath

Emergency

Shortness of breath is a broad symptom with both respiratory and cardiac differentials. The first split is between impending respiratory failure, pulmonary oedema, PE, asthma/COPD exacerbation, infection, and metabolic or toxic drivers.

Red flags

  • Exhaustion, altered mental status, or silent chest
  • Hypoxia, cyanosis, or escalating oxygen requirement
  • Chest pain, haemoptysis, unilateral leg swelling, or sudden collapse
  • Features of pulmonary oedema, shock, or severe sepsis

Common causes to keep in the differential

Asthma exacerbation
COPD exacerbation
Pulmonary oedema / acute heart failure
Pulmonary embolism
Pneumonia
Pleural disease / pneumothorax

Linked MedVellum pathways

Asthma

Emergency

Acute and chronic asthma structure with emergency management.

Open topic

COPD

Urgent

Exacerbation treatment, NIV, and oxygen targets.

Open topic

Pulmonary embolism

Emergency

Risk stratification and diagnostic workup.

Open topic

Pneumonia

Urgent

CAP assessment, severity, and treatment.

Open topic

Next practical steps

  • Prioritize work of breathing, oxygenation, perfusion, and bedside exam.
  • Move quickly into asthma, COPD, PE, heart failure, and pneumonia pages.
  • Use the search entry when the presentation is broad or mixed.

Search the full library

Use MedVellum search when the presentation is mixed, atypical, or you need a broader differential before narrowing into a topic page.

Search MedVellum