Companion page readyEmergency medicine, ICU, ward, and exam-prep audiences

Shortness of Breath: The First-Pass Differential

A symptom-led page for visitors coming from YouTube who want a concise framework first, followed by direct links into the relevant MedVellum diagnosis pages.

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Key takeaways

  • Decide early whether this is airway/ventilation failure, oxygenation failure, or circulatory collapse presenting as dyspnoea.
  • Think cardiac and respiratory causes in parallel: pulmonary oedema, PE, asthma/COPD, pneumonia, pneumothorax.
  • The best next page depends on physiology, not just symptom wording.

Linked topics

Shortness of breath symptom page

Red flags, common causes, and next pages.

COPD

Exacerbation management and oxygen/NIV guardrails.

Acute heart failure

Pulmonary oedema recognition and treatment.

Pulmonary embolism

Workup and treatment for suspected PE.