Dyspnea (Shortness of Breath)
What Is It?
Subjective sensation of difficult or uncomfortable breathing. Causes range from pulmonary (asthma, COPD, PE, pneumonia) to cardiac (CHF, ACS, arrhythmia) to anemia, anxiety, and deconditioning.
How Is It Diagnosed?
History (onset, triggers, orthopnea, PND), exam, pulse oximetry. EKG, chest X-ray. BNP for heart failure. CBC for anemia. Spirometry for obstructive disease. CT pulmonary angiography if PE suspected.
How Is It Treated?
Treat underlying cause. Oxygen for hypoxia. Bronchodilators for obstructive disease. Diuretics for heart failure. Antibiotics for pneumonia. Anticoagulation for PE. Anxiolytics for anxiety-related dyspnea.
Tests and Imaging Typically Needed
CBC, BNP, D-dimer, BMP, EKG, chest X-ray, pulse oximetry, spirometry, CT chest or CTPA if indicated.
Approximate Self-Pay Costs
Office visit: $95-$150. Chest X-ray: $100-$200. BNP: $30-$60. EKG: $30-$60. CT chest: $500-$1,500.