Breathlessness is emerging as a strain on hospitals

Chronic breathlessness is quietly contributing to longer hospital stays and adding pressure to already overstretched health services, according to new research from Flinders University.

According to a new study published in the Australian Health Review, chronic breathlessness has been largely overlooked by healthcare systems despite its significant impact on patients and hospital resources. Researchers say recognising and managing the condition earlier could reduce unplanned admissions, shorten hospital stays and ease strain on hospitals.

Unlike acute breathlessness – sudden episodes that trigger urgent care – chronic breathlessness is ongoing and can worsen over time. Millions of people live with it daily, yet it is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated.

Flinders Ageing Alliance Strategic Professor and the study’s Lead Author, David Currow, said the consequences for individuals are profound.

“At least one in 300 Australians is housebound or struggles with basic tasks such as dressing because of chronic breathlessness,” Professor Currow said.

“Chronic breathlessness affects every aspect of life, contributing to disability, anxiety, depression, and reduced workforce participation. People often adapt by avoiding exertion, which leads to further physical decline. Yet this symptom remains largely invisible in clinical consultations, often dismissed as an inevitable part of illness rather than a treatable condition.”

In compiling the study, researchers analysed data from nearly 12,000 patients and found that the severity of chronic breathlessness recorded in general practice predicted two key outcomes, those being a shorter time to the next unplanned hospital admission and a longer length of stay once admitted.

These findings help explain previously unexplained variations in hospital length of stay, even after accounting for demographic, clinical and system factors.

“Longer hospital stays increase costs, reduce bed availability, and intensify emergency department pressures,” Currow added.

In Australia, chronic breathlessness is estimated to cost more than $12 billion each year in healthcare and broader societal expenses. With an ageing population and rising rates of chronic illness, that figure is expected to grow.

“Chronic breathlessness is not just a symptom, it’s a major health challenge,” Currow said.

“By recognising and managing it more effectively, we can improve quality of life. Understanding the drivers for these longer lengths of stay is a critical next step.”

The study calls for four priority actions:

• Routine screening, including considering chronic breathlessness as a “sixth vital sign” in emergency and inpatient settings
• Accurate reporting, to ensure the condition is properly recorded in medical data
• Early intervention research, to test whether better management in primary care can reduce unplanned admissions
• Hospital process reviews, to identify why patients with chronic breathlessness experience longer stays, including possible delays at admission or discharge

Researchers say elevating the visibility of chronic breathlessness could deliver benefits for both patients and health systems struggling under growing demand.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.