Lung Disease & Respiratory Health Center

Do you have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Breathing stops.

  Note:

  After calling or other emergency services, see the topic Dealing With Emergencies.
• Moderate to severe difficulty breathing occurs.
• Difficulty breathing and choking on an object in the windpipe occurs.

  Note:

  If choking is present, go to the topic Choking Rescue Procedure. Do not perform the Heimlich maneuver if the person is still coughing or able to speak.
• Chest discomfort or pain is crushing or squeezing or feels like a heavy weight on the chest.
• Chest discomfort or pain occurs with:
  • •Sweating.
  • •Shortness of breath.
  • •Nausea or vomiting.
  • •Pain that spreads from the chest to the back, neck, jaw, upper abdomen, or one or both shoulders or arms. See an illustration of chest pain .
  • •Dizziness or lightheadedness.
  • •A fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat.
• Rapid swelling of the throat or tongue (angioedema) occurs.