Causes of breathlessness (Dyspnoea)

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

Shortness of breath/ breathlessness

Question 2

Aetiology

Answer 2

Respiratory - asthma, acute exacerbation of or chronic congestive obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), pneumonia, pulmonary Embolism, lung malignancy, pneumothorax, or aspiration.

Cardiovascular - congestive heart failure, pulmonary oedema, acute coronary syndrome, pericardial tamponade, valvular heart defect, pulmonary hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, or intracardiac shunting.

Neuromuscular - chest trauma with fracture or flail chest, massive obesity, kyphoscoliosis, central nervous system (CNS) or spinal cord dysfunction, phrenic nerve paralysis, myopathy, and neuropathy.

Psychogenic - hyperventilation syndrome, psychogenic dyspnea, vocal cord dysfunction syndrome, and foreign body aspiration

Question 3

Risk factors

Answer 3

Highly variable depending on aetiology.

Question 4

Epidemiology

Answer 4

Highly variable depending on aetiology.

Question 5

Clinical presentation

Answer 5

Highly variable depending on aetiology.

Question 6

DDX

Answer 6

Various potential underlying causes, each with different DDX’s

Chronic dyspnea is most likely caused by asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Interstitial lung disease, myocardial dysfunction, obesity, or deconditioning