There are multiple causes of shortness of breath and chest tightness. Some are minor and controllable, whereas others are life threatening. Problems with the heart or lungs are most prominent on the list. Most causes of these symptoms are treatable, and many are preventable. Both children and adults may be affected.
Asthma
Asthma is a lung disorder defined by airway hypersensitivity resulting in spasm and inflammation of the bronchiole tree, or branches of the respiratory tract. Typical symptoms include wheezing, cough, chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Both children and adults can have asthma. Cold air, exercise, allergies and infections are common triggers. Inhaled or oral medications are available to relieve the spasm and decrease the associated swelling.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a chronic lung condition usually, but not always, caused by cigarette smoking. It is also known as emphysema or chronic bronchitis. The bronchioles lose their elasticity, leading to labored breathing, chest tightness, wheezing and cough. COPD is a disease of older adults. Treatment with inhaled or swallowed medication may help control symptoms, but no cure exists. Smoking cessation usually halts the progression of the disease, but symptoms are irreversible.
Coronary Artery Disease
Plaque or blockage in the arteries that supply blood to the heart may lead to symptoms of chest pain or tightness and shortness of breath. A partial blockage or obstruction in a smaller artery may result in angina, chest pain that tends to be shorter lived and less severe than that of a heart attack. If the barrier completely restricts blood flow to the heart muscle, a heart attack, or myocardial infarction, results. A victim may also experience jaw or arm pain, dizziness and sweating. Coronary artery disease is extremely rare in children. Treatment may consist of plaque-busting medication, drugs to limit heart damage or surgery to bypass or open up the blockage.
Pneumonia
An infection of the lungs, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, may lead to fever, cough, tightness of the chest and breathing difficulties. Various bacteria or viruses may cause such an infection. People of any age may experience pneumonia, but it is more common in the very young and the very old. A usual treatment regimen consists of antibiotics, rest and treatment of the symptoms.
Anxiety
Panic attacks or anxiety disorders may lead to symptoms of chest tightness and shortness of breath. In fact, people experiencing these may feel as though they are having a heart attack. Other symptoms may include a nervous feeling, excessive worry, shaking and sweating. These conditions are normally seen in adolescents and adults. Assorted anti-anxiety medications are available for treatment.
Pulmonary Embolism
An embolism is a blood clot, and when it occurs in the lungs—a condition called a pulmonary embolism—a person may experience shortness of breath and chest tightness. Most often, the clot begins in the lower leg and travels to the lung, but it may originate in the pulmonary blood vessels. Pulmonary emboli occur almost exclusively in adults, and treatment usually consists of blood-thinning medication.
