aetiology of chronic breathlessness

Last reviewed 01/2018

Chronic causes include:

• lung disease
  • COPD, asthma, and bronchiectasis
  • interstitial lung disease
    • pleural effusion
    • primary or metastatic malignancy
  • cardiac disease
    • congestive heart failure
    • ischaemic heart disease
    • cardiac arrhythmias
    • pericardial disease
    • valvular heart disease
  • other causes (less common)
    • anaemia
    • thyroid disease
    • neuromuscular disorders - myasthenia gravis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (1)

Reference:

• 1. Karnani NG, Reisfield GM, Wilson GR. Evaluation of chronic dyspnea. Am Fam Physician. 2005;71(8):1529-37