Which condition often presents with sudden shortness of breath and requires urgent evaluation?

A pulmonary embolism is a condition characterized by the obstruction of a pulmonary artery, typically due to a blood clot that has traveled from the deep veins of the legs or other parts of the body. It commonly presents with sudden onset shortness of breath, which can occur unexpectedly and may be accompanied by chest pain, cough, or hemoptysis. The presentation is often acute and requires immediate medical evaluation and intervention to prevent serious complications, including respiratory failure or death.

This urgency is due to the potential severity of the condition; if a pulmonary embolism is left untreated, it can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis usually involves imaging studies like a CT pulmonary angio or ventilation-perfusion scanning, along with D-dimer tests and clinical assessments.

Other conditions such as pneumonia, COPD exacerbation, and an asthma attack may also cause shortness of breath but often have a more gradual onset or are related to chronic issues. This difference in the nature of their onset and presentation means they may not require the same level of immediate urgent evaluation as pulmonary embolism.