Shortness of breath is a common symptom that prompts people to make a visit to their healthcare provider. Find out when this trouble breathing could be an emergency. Shortness of breath makes it difficult to fully get air into your lungs. Learn at-home treatments to try for breathlessness that isn't an emergency. Shortness of breath is most often due to heart or lung conditions. The heart and lungs help move oxygen to your body and get rid of carbon dioxide. Trouble with either of these processes can make breathing hard. Sudden shortness of breath Shortness of breath that comes on suddenly, also called acute shortness of breath , may be caused by these conditions or others:
