Shortness of breath, made clear.

Breathlessness can come from the heart, lungs, anemia, or other causes. New or worsening symptoms deserve assessment; the feeling alone cannot tell us the cause.

Both weak pumping and difficulty filling can raise heart pressures and cause breathlessness.

Your history and examination guide testing. An EKG checks electrical activity. An echocardiogram looks at pumping, filling, and valves. Other tests may check the lungs or blood.

Not everyone needs the same tests.

Describe when symptoms began, how far you can walk, whether lying flat makes breathing harder, and whether you have swelling or weight changes.

Treatment depends on the cause. Follow your own medication, activity, and fluid plan.