Complications of Shortness of Breath

While shortness of breath is a common occurrence, it can also be a symptom of a major medical condition. If shortness of breath is a result of one of these conditions and is not treated, there are major complications that can occur. Consult a doctor immediately if shortness of breath is chronic or unexplained.

Lung Problems

• One potential cause of breath shortness is a problem in the lungs. Some disorders that can occur in the lungs are pneumonia, bronchiolitis and asthma. If these conditions are not treated they can lead to pain, fatigue, respiratory failure, additional infection and even death. In these cases, the shortness of breath is typically chronic. Other symptoms of lung issues may include mucus build-up, wheezing and a fever.

Heart Issues

• Another part of the body that may be causing shortness of breath is the heart. The heart is a major organ in the respiration process, and when it is negatively impacted, your breathing may affected. Problems with the heart can include congenital heart disease, a heart arrhythmia, heart attack or heart failure. If the shortness of breath is accompanied by squeezing pressure, pain throughout your arms, shoulder and neck, and light-headedness, you may be experiencing a cardiac problem.

Diseases

• There are several diseases that may have shortness of breath as a symptom. Some of these diseases include tuberculosis, emphysema, lung cancer, anemia and generalized anxiety disorder. There are different types of treatment for each of these diseases, and often the condition will only get worse if it is not treated.

Deconditioning

• One of the major causes for shortness of breath is a lack of exercise known as deconditioning. One complication of this deficiency of physical fitness can be obesity, which further worsens shortness of breath. You should include exercise and other types of physical fitness in your daily routine to stave off breathing problems caused by deconditioning.