Patient education: Shortness of breath in adults – ED discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").

What should I know? — 

You came to the ED for shortness of breath. The doctors think your shortness of breath is likely not caused by something serious.

Many things can cause shortness of breath. Examples include a virus that affects the lungs, anxiety, and having excess body weight. Lung problems, like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ("COPD"), can also make you feel short of breath. More serious causes include a blood clot in the lungs, a heart attack or heart failure, or a bad allergic reaction.

You might be waiting on test results to learn why you have shortness of breath. The staff will notify you if there are concerning results.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also do the following:

●Call your regular doctor and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment if you were told to.

●Keep a diary of your symptoms. Write down when you have trouble breathing and what you were doing before. This can help you figure out what things affect your breathing. Then, you might be able to avoid them.

●Quit smoking, if you smoke. Your doctor or nurse can help. Also, avoid being in smoke-filled places.

●Avoid things that can cause breathing problems, like fumes, pollution, dust, and other common allergens. Wearing tight clothes can also make it feel harder to breathe.

●Practice taking slow, deep breaths. This can help calm you down and make it easier to breathe. Things like yoga and meditation can help with this.

●Take all of your medicines as instructed:

•If you have an inhaler to use when you are feeling short of breath (for example, because you have asthma), carry it with you at all times.

•If you have inhalers to use on a regular schedule, remember to take them. This is important even if the medicine does not help your breathing right away.

When should I get emergency help? — 

Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if:

●You have signs of a heart attack, which can include:

•Severe chest pain, pressure, or discomfort with:

-Trouble breathing, sweating, nausea, or cold, clammy skin

-Pain in your arms, back, or jaw

-Worse pain with activity like walking up stairs

•Fast or irregular heartbeat

•Feeling dizzy, faint, or weak

●You are having so much trouble breathing you can only say 1 or 2 words at a time.

●You need to sit upright to be able to breathe, or cannot lie down.

●Your tongue, lips, or throat start swelling.

Return to the ED if:

●Your shortness of breath is slowly getting worse.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for advice if you:

●Are feeling weak or more short of breath than usual when doing your activities

●Have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills

●Are coughing up mucus

●Have swelling in your legs

●Have hives

●Have new or worsening symptoms

More on this topic

Patient education: Shortness of breath (The Basics)

Patient education: Shortness of breath (dyspnea) (Beyond the Basics)