Which Doctor Treats Shortness of Breath?

Shortness of breath can be frightening and indicates your body isn't getting enough oxygen. This symptom can result from many conditions ranging from asthma and pneumonia to heart failure and anxiety. The onset, severity, and associated symptoms determine the underlying cause. Determining what kind of doctor should I see for shortness of breath is critical because some causes require emergency evaluation.

If you experience sudden severe shortness of breath, breathing difficulty at rest, or shortness of breath with chest pain or confusion, seek emergency care immediately. Your primary care physician can perform initial evaluation for gradual onset shortness of breath and determine which specialist is appropriate. A pulmonologist specializes in lung diseases like asthma, COPD, and pneumonia. A cardiologist evaluates heart-related causes like heart failure or valve problems. Anxiety and panic can also cause shortness of breath, which your doctor can help identify.

Many causes of shortness of breath respond well to treatment once identified. Asthma responds to inhalers and controller medications, infections require antibiotics if bacterial, and heart conditions require cardiac medications. The key is getting proper evaluation to identify the underlying cause quickly.