Breathlessness ranges from normal (hard exercise) to a medical emergency. Sudden or severe shortness of breath should always be taken seriously.
Sudden or severe shortness of breath, blue lips, chest pain, or breathlessness at rest all need emergency care.
It can be deconditioning, asthma, anaemia or a heart/lung cause. New or worsening breathlessness on mild exertion should be assessed.
MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.