Shortness of Breath and Dizziness

Shortness of breath and dizziness often happen together, and they can be unsettling. These symptoms may appear during activity, while resting, or even suddenly without warning. They often relate to problems with the heart, lungs, blood flow, or inner ear, but can also result from less serious issues like dehydration, anxiety, or fatigue.

Heart conditions, lung diseases, infections, and low blood pressure commonly cause these symptoms. Stress, medication side effects, or standing up too quickly can also trigger them.

Definition of Symptom

Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, means feeling unable to get enough air. People may notice it during activity, while resting, or when lying flat. It often feels like breathlessness or trouble breathing.

Dizziness covers lightheadedness and dizzy spells. Lightheadedness feels like faintness or weakness, while vertigo causes a spinning sensation. These experiences may last a few seconds or longer, depending on the cause.

Both symptoms can appear together or separately. When combined, they may signal a problem with the lungs, heart, or circulation. They can also result from less serious issues such as stress or dehydration.

Key Terms

Dyspnea: Shortness of breath.
Breathlessness: Trouble breathing.
Lightheadedness: Feeling faint without spinning.
Dizzy Spells: Episodes of imbalance or unsteadiness.

Symptom	Common Description	Possible Experience
Shortness of breath	Trouble breathing, air hunger	Feeling unable to take deep breaths
Dizziness	Imbalance, faint feeling	Spinning, unsteady, or woozy
Lightheadedness	Near-faint sensation	Weakness or blurred vision

Both shortness of breath and dizziness are not diseases themselves but signs of an underlying condition.

Possible Causes/Diseases Condition

Many medical conditions can cause shortness of breath and dizziness. Some involve the heart, while others affect the lungs, blood pressure, or inner ear.

Heart-related causes include irregular heartbeats and heart failure, which reduce the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively. When blood flow drops, people may feel faint, lightheaded, or short of breath.
Blood pressure issues such as low blood pressure or sudden drops in blood pressure can also trigger these symptoms. When blood pressure falls, less oxygen reaches the brain, causing dizziness.
Lung and airway problems are common sources. Asthma, pneumonia, and chronic lung conditions can limit airflow and reduce oxygen levels. These problems often cause both breathlessness and fatigue.
Infections that affect the lungs or airways can also play a role. For example, pneumonia or other respiratory illnesses may cause difficulty breathing along with weakness or dizziness.
Neurological disorders sometimes contribute as well. Diseases that affect the brain or nervous system can disturb balance, coordination, and breathing control.
Inner ear conditions can also cause dizziness. Vertigo, benign positional vertigo, vestibular neuritis, and Meniere’s disease can all create dizziness. While these mainly affect balance, they may also make breathing feel more difficult during episodes.

Condition Type	Examples	Main Effect on Body
Heart-related	Arrhythmias, Heart Failure	Reduced blood flow and oxygen supply
Blood pressure issues	Hypotension, Orthostatic Hypotension	Sudden drops in blood pressure
Lung disorders	Asthma, COPD, Pneumonia	Limited airflow and oxygen exchange
Inner ear problems	Vertigo, BPPV, Vestibular Neuritis, Meniere’s	Balance disruption and dizziness
Neurological factors	Various neurological disorders	Nerve or brain function disruption

Other Non-Disease Causes

Shortness of breath and dizziness do not always come from illness. Everyday habits, lifestyle choices, and environmental factors can also play a role.

Anxiety and stress can trigger rapid breathing. This can lower carbon dioxide levels in the blood, leading to dizziness, chest tightness, and lightheadedness.
Physical activity and overexertion may cause temporary breathlessness, especially in people who are not used to regular exercise. Pushing the body too hard without rest can also bring on fatigue, nausea, or even vomiting in some cases.
Poor hydration can reduce blood volume, making it harder for oxygen to circulate. This may cause dizziness, weakness, and shortness of breath during normal activities.
Smoking irritates the lungs and reduces oxygen exchange. Even without disease, this habit can make breathing feel more difficult and contribute to dizziness.

Factor	Possible Effect on Breathing/Dizziness
Anxiety/Stress	Rapid breathing, lightheadedness
Overexertion	Shortness of breath, fatigue
Dehydration	Dizziness, weakness
Smoking	Reduced oxygen flow, breathlessness
Lack of Exercise	Lower stamina, quicker fatigue

How It Causes the Symptom

Shortness of breath and dizziness often happen when the body cannot get enough oxygen or when blood flow to the brain drops. The heart, lungs, or nervous system may play a role. The inner ear’s balance system helps control stability. If fluid buildup, infection, or loose crystals disturb it, people may feel dizzy or lightheaded. Moving the head in certain ways can sometimes correct these problems.

Heart rhythm issues can also cause symptoms. An irregular heartbeat can reduce blood flow. When the brain and muscles receive less oxygen, dizziness and shortness of breath may appear. Lung conditions, including asthma or chronic lung disease, limit airflow and oxygen exchange. This makes breathing harder and can leave people feeling faint or weak.

Other causes include anxiety, anemia, or low blood pressure. Each of these can reduce oxygen delivery or affect how the body regulates balance and breathing. Common factors linked to these symptoms:

Inner ear disorders
Heart rhythm problems
Lung disease
Stress and anxiety
Low blood count or anemia

Possible Complications

Shortness of breath and dizziness can signal more than temporary discomfort. When these symptoms persist, they may point to underlying health problems that can become serious if not addressed. Cardiovascular complications may include:

Heart failure leading to fluid buildup in the lungs or legs
Irregular heartbeats that reduce blood flow to the brain and body
Higher risk of heart attack, especially with chest pain or fainting

Respiratory issues can also develop. Asthma, chronic lung disease, or pneumonia may worsen breathing difficulties. Infections or long-term damage to the lungs can lower oxygen levels and cause fatigue. Neurological effects may appear if dizziness relates to reduced blood flow to the brain. This can raise the risk of fainting, falls, or in some cases, stroke.

System Affected	Possible Complications
Heart	Heart failure, arrhythmia, heart attack
Lungs	COPD flare-ups, asthma attacks, pneumonia
Brain	Fainting, falls, stroke

If symptoms occur alongside chest pain, severe weakness, or sudden fainting, they may indicate emergencies.

When to Seek Medical Attention

Shortness of breath and dizziness can sometimes signal a serious health issue. Do not ignore these symptoms if they appear suddenly or get worse over time. Seek immediate care if symptoms include:

Chest pain or pressure
Fainting or near-fainting
Blue lips, face, or nails
Sudden confusion or trouble staying alert

If you feel dizzy along with a severe headache, vision changes, slurred speech, or loss of balance, get urgent medical attention. These signs may point to problems that need quick treatment.

People with a history of asthma, pneumonia, or other lung problems should be cautious. If you notice new or worsening shortness of breath, seek emergency help. The table below highlights when to act quickly:

Situation	Action Needed
Chest pain + shortness of breath	Call emergency services
Dizziness + fainting	Seek urgent care
Trouble breathing after rest	Visit a doctor promptly
Blue lips or nails	Emergency care right away

Milder symptoms, like light dizziness after exercise or brief breathlessness after climbing stairs, may not be urgent. If these symptoms continue or make daily activities hard, schedule a medical checkup.