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True shortness of breath and pain in your chest

True shortness of breath is a feeling that you cannot get enough air or that you are smothering.

Chest wall pain may cause rapid, shallow breathing, but it does not cause true shortness of breath. The discomfort will subside as your pain improves.

Author Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer William M. Green, MD
- Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer H. Michael O'Connor, MD
- Emergency Medicine
Last Updated April 27, 2007

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: April 27, 2007
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