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Shortness of breath can occur for several non-heart-related reasons, many of which are temporary and not harmful. For example, shortness of breath is common after periods of heavy exertion, such as exercise. Exercise increases the amount of carbon dioxide (a waste product) in the blood. When the heart and breathing rate speed up, the lungs must handle an increased amount of carbon dioxide in the blood.
The lungs exchange carbon dioxide (which is exhaled from the body) with fresh oxygen in the blood. Now oxygen-rich, the blood leaves the lungs to nourish the body. If the heart and breathing rate cannot exchange enough carbon dioxide for oxygen, then the person may feel short of breath.
Shortness of breath is also common during or immediately after periods of stress, anxiety or fear. This is due to stress hormones (e.g., adrenaline), which can increase heart rate and breathing rate just like exercise. However, when people regularly feel short of breath for no apparent reason, a potentially serious underlying disorder may be responsible.
Shortness of breath that is not related to exercise, stress or a heart condition may be the result of:
- Pulmonary embolism. This is a condition in which a blood clot has become lodged in a blood vessel of the lung, blocking blood flow to the lung and causing shortness of breath.
- Emphysema and chronic bronchitis
- Anemia
- Thyroid disease
- Some types of cancer, such as lung cancer and esophageal cancer
- Asthma (may be accompanied with moderate to severe wheezing)
- Some medications (e.g., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories [NSAIDs], aspirin and beta blockers, particularly in persons with asthma)
- Pneumonia
- Obesity (a body mass index greater than 30)
- Allergies, or an allergic reaction
- Sleep apnea
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