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Often, back pain and shortness of breath result from a muscle strain or carrying extra weight. However, sometimes a more serious condition can cause back pain with shortness of breath, and the person requires prompt medical attention. Someone experiencing these symptoms with chest pain, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or loss of consciousness should see their doctor immediately or seek emergency care. They can indicate a heart attack. This article covers 12 potential causes of back pain and shortness of breath. How do you know if back pain is serious Share on Pinterestlove you very much/Getty ImagesSome types of back pain can indicate a serious condition that needs urgent attention. Back pain can be a sign of a heart attack. Other symptoms include: chest painbreathing problemssweatingnausealightheadedness Another example of a medical emergency is cauda equina syndrome, symptoms of which include numbness and weakness in the legs and loss of bladder and bowel control. If someone experiences any of these symptoms, they should seek immediate medical attention. A person should also see their doctor if they experience back pain that:is severe and does not improve with rest or over-the-counter (OTC) medicationsoccurs after a fall, blow to the back, or another injuryaffects their ability to perform daily activities What happens when it does not go away If a person has back pain that does not go away after a few days of rest, they should see a doctor. There are many possible causes of back pain, so a physical evaluation can help determine if a person has an underlying health condition. A doctor can recommend further tests or treatment options to help relieve the pain. Potential treatments include:medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)muscle relaxantsanticonvulsants, such as gabapentin (Neurontin)heat therapyphysical therapyexercises, such as tai chi and yogaacupuncturecounseling If someone has disabling lower back pain that affects their quality of life, a doctor may consider surgical intervention to trim the disk, fuse the vertebrae, or replace the disk. Often, rest, heat or cold packs, and OTC pain relievers can resolve back pain. Muscle strain There are many muscles in the back and between the ribs, and strains and sprains are common causes of back pain. Straining and injuring the muscles can cause pain, making it more difficult to take a deep breath. Muscle strains may respond to: restice or heatOTC pain relief, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen A muscle strain typically goes away after a few days. If it lasts longer, the doctor can prescribe stronger medications, such as a muscle relaxant, to help relieve the discomfort. Pneumonia Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that can result from a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. Common symptoms include a cough, fever, and breathing problems, but a person may also experience back pain. It can develop as a complication of flu or COVID-19. Symptoms can be severe in older adults and those with other underlying medical conditions. For a bacterial infection, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics. For fungal infections, a person will need antifungal medications. People with severe symptoms may need to spend time in the hospital, where supportive care can help manage symptoms and prevent further complications. Excess weight Obesity and overweight mean the back muscles have to work harder to support the basic activities of daily life. Having extra fat around the chest or back can make it harder to take a breath or breathe deeply. Losing weight can help reduce stress on the back. In addition, regularly exercising to work the muscles of the back can help to strengthen them and gradually reduce pain. Heart attack Chest pain and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms of a heart attack, but pain can also occur in the back, left arm, jaw, and neck. Anyone showing signs of a heart attack needs emergency medical care. Anyone who suspects they may be having a heart attack should go to the nearest emergency room or call emergency services immediately. Heart disease Anyone who has or may have coronary artery disease or heart disease should mention these to their doctor when seeking treatment for back pain. Factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease include: high blood pressurehigh cholesterol levelsa family history of heart diseasea history of smokingobesity and overweightdiabetes Cauda equina syndrome The following symptoms can indicate a condition known as cauda equina syndrome, which affects the nerve roots at the end of the spinal cord. They transmit messages between the lower limbs and pelvic organs and provide feeling and movement in the legs and the bladder. Cauda equina syndrome usually occurs when a severely herniated disk disrupts the function of these nerves. It is a medical emergency and can lead to:loss of bowel or bladder controlloss of urge to urinatenumbness or weakness in the legssexual dysfunction What is the link between back pain and loss of bowel control? Gastroesophageal reflux disease Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes stomach acid to back up into the esophagus. Common symptoms include chest pain, heartburn, or a sour taste in the mouth, but pain can also radiate to the back, often between the shoulder blades and usually after eating. In addition, stomach acid can sometimes enter the airways, leading to shortness of breath or a cough. For people with GERD, a doctor may recommend:OTC or prescription medicationsavoiding eating soon before sleeping or lying downavoiding common trigger foods, such as spicy, fatty, or acidic foods, chocolate, coffee, and alcohol Gallbladder disease The gallbladder is a small organ that sits in the abdomen. It stores bile, a substance the liver produces to help digest fats. Sometimes, small stones form in the gallbladder and block bile flow. Without treatment, gallbladder disease and gallstones can cause severe abdominal pain that radiates to the back. In most cases, treatment for gallstones involves surgery to remove the gallbladder. The name of this surgery is cholecystectomy. Pulmonary embolism A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in the lung. The main symptoms are often shortness of breath and chest pain. Some people may also experience back pain. Pulmonary embolism requires emergency medical treatment. Aortic dissection The aorta is a large blood vessel that exits the heart and helps distribute blood throughout the body. An aortic dissection occurs when there is a tear in the aorta, causing blood to leak into the vessel walls. It is rare, but when it happens, it causes severe back pain, shortness of breath, chest pain, weakness, and sweating. An aortic dissection is a life threatening event that requires immediate treatment. Depending on where the dissection is, emergency surgery may be necessary. Rib fracture A fractured rib can cause breathlessness and chest pain radiating to the back. Breathing and coughing can make the pain worse. A rib can fracture as the result of a trauma, such as a blow to the chest. In older people, ribs can fracture more easily as the bones become weaker with age. Possible complications of a broken rib include pneumothorax, where the rib punctures the lung. Treatment includes rest and pain relief medication. A rib can take several weeks or months to heal, depending on the person’s age and other health factors. Could it be lung cancer Shortness of breath and back pain are not typical signs of lung cancer, although it can cause shortness of breath or chest pain. However, if cancer spreads to the bones, it can cause pain in other parts of the body, such as the back or hips. A cancer specialist, or oncologist, provides treatment for cancer. Options include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Frequently asked questions Here are some answers to questions people often ask about back pain and shortness of breath. What does it mean if you have back pain and shortness of breath Back pain and shortness of breath can be a sign of various conditions, ranging from muscle strain to a broken rib or a heart attack. Anyone with severe pain or difficulty breathing should seek medical advice. What helps relieve back pain and shortness of breath People with unexplained back pain and breathing difficulty should seek medical advice. If symptoms are severe or there are other symptoms — such as chest pain or a loss of bowel or bladder control — the person needs urgent medical attention. Breathing exercises, such as pursed lip breathing, box breathing, and diaphragmatic (or “belly”) breathing, can help manage breathing problems, according to the American Lung Association. Read about some useful breathing techniques here. Summary There are many potential causes of shortness of breath and back pain. In many cases, treatment is possible at home with rest. However, it is important to check with a doctor if a person has severe shortness of breath, chest pain, or if the symptoms do not go away after a few days. Last medically reviewed on September 29, 2022Back PainRespiratoryPain / Anesthetics 13 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Breathing exercises. (2021).https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/wellness/breathing-exercisesCauda equina syndrome. (2022).http://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Cauda-Equina-SyndromeCasiano, V., et al. (2022). Back pain.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538173/Johnson, K., et al. (2022). Chest pain.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470557Jones, M. W., et al. (2022). Physiology, gallbladder.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482488Learn about pneumonia. (2022).http://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumonia/learn-about-pneumoniaLevy, D., et al. (2022). Aortic dissection.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441963Low back pain fact sheet. (2020).http://www.ninds.nih.gov/low-back-pain-fact-sheetPulmonary embolism. (2020).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pulmonary-embolism/Signs and symptoms of lung cancer. (2019).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/lung-cancer/prevention-and-early-detection/signs-and-symptoms.htmlTreatment for gallstones. (2017).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones/treatmentTulay, C. M., et al. (2018). Do we really know the duration of pain after rib fracture?https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6180016/Warning signs of a heart attack. (n.d.).https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/warning-signs-of-a-heart-attackFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Avi Varma, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, FAAFP — By Nicole Galan, RN and Zia Sherrell, MPH — Updated on September 29, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat to know about aortic dissectionMedically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, RN Aortic dissection occurs when the inner lining of the aorta splits and tears. Aortic dissection is a medical emergency with a high rate of mortality…READ MOREWhat's to know about pulmonary embolism?Medically reviewed by University of Illinois A pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the pulmonary artery, which supplies blood to the lungs. These embolisms affect an estimated 1 in 1,000 people…READ MOREHow to spot and treat a heart attackMedically reviewed by Joyce Oen-Hsiao, MD, FACC Here, learn to recognize a heart attack and what to do next. We also describe treatment and recovery and provide tips for prevention.READ MOREGallbladder disease: What you need to knowMedically reviewed by Saurabh Sethi, M.D., MPH The gallbladder stores and releases bile. Problems such as gallstones and cholecystitis can affect its health, leading to pain and other complications.READ MORE