Differential Diagnosis of Shortness of Breath

Free medical revision on history taking skills for medical student exams, finals, OSCEs and MRCP PACES

Acute Causes of Shortness of Breath

• Respiratory
  • Asthma
  • Acute exacerbation of COPD (infective or non-in
  • Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI)
    • Bacterial (i.e. pneumonia); viral; other
  • Pulmonary embolism (PE)
  • Pneumothorax
• Cardiac
  • Pulmonary oedema (from any cause, usually decompensated heart failure)
  • Arrhythmia 
• Other
  • Panic attacks/ Psychosomatic
  • Metabolic acidosis

Chronic Causes of Shortness of Breath

• Respiratory
  • COPD
  • Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Pleural effusion
  • Bronchiectasis
    • Cystic fibrosis
  • Chronic infection (e.g. TB)
• Cardiac
  • Heart failure (chronic)
  • Chronic arrhythmia
• Other
  • Anaemia

Click here for how to take a history in shortness of breath

Perfect revision for medical student exams, finals, OSCEs and MRCP PACES

Click here to learn more about acute exacerbations of asthma