Signs of an asthma attack

Asthma attack - signs; Reactive airway disease - asthma attack; Bronchial asthma - attack

Before an asthma attack, you may experience distinct early warning signs. Knowing these signs or symptoms can help you take immediate action to manage your condition.

Symptoms

If you do not know whether or not you have asthma, these 4 symptoms could be signs that you do:

Coughing during the day or coughing that may wake you up at night.
Wheezing, or a whistling sound when you breathe. You may hear it more when you breathe out. It can start as a low-sounding whistle and get higher.
Breathing problems that include having shortness of breath, feeling like you are out of breath, gasping for air, having trouble breathing out, or breathing faster than normal. When breathing gets very difficult, the skin of your chest and neck may suck inward.
Chest tightness that may feel like pain, a heavy weight or pressure in the chest region, making breathing difficult.

Other Warning Signs

Other early warning signs of an asthma attack are:

Being short-tempered or irritable
Feeling nervous or edgy

Danger Signs

Call 911 or the local emergency number right away if you have any of the following symptoms. These may be signs of a serious medical emergency.

You are having trouble walking or talking because it is so hard to breathe.
You are hunching over.
Your lips or fingernails are blue or gray.
You are confused or less responsive than usual.

If your child has asthma, the child's caregivers must know to call 911 or the local emergency number in case your child has any of these symptoms. This includes teachers, babysitters, and others who take care of your child.

Open References

References

Drazen JM, Bel EH. Asthma. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 75.

Lugogo N, Que LG, Carr TF, Kraft M. Asthma: diagnosis and management. In: Broaddus VC, Ernst JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 62.

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Asthma management guidelines: focused updates 2020. www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/asthma-management-guidelines-2020-updates. Updated February 4, 2021. Accessed February 18, 2026.

Viswanathan RK, Busse WW. Management of asthma in adolescents and adults. In: Burks AW, Holgate ST, O'Hehir RE, et al, eds. Middleton's Allergy Principles and Practice. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 52.

A Closer Look

Talking to your MD

Self Care

Signs of an asthma attack

Tests for Signs of an asthma attack

Review Date: 1/14/2026

Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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