Introduction

Sudden shortness of breath, or breathing difficulty (dyspnoea), is the most common reason for visiting a hospital accident and emergency department. It's also one of the most common reasons people call the emergency number for an ambulance. It's normal toget out of breath when you've overexerted yourself, but when breathlessness comes on suddenly and unexpectedly, it's usually a warning sign of a medical condition. The information below outlines the most common reasons for: sudden shortness of breath long-term shortness of breath This guide shouldn't be used to self-diagnose your condition, but should give you an idea of what's causing your breathlessness.