What Conditions Could Cause a Tight Chest, Dry Cough, and Shortness of Breath?

When you experience a tight chest along with a dry cough and shortness of breath, it may come from problems in your lungs or airways. One common cause is asthma, where the airways get inflamed and narrow, leading to chest tightness and difficulty breathing. Viral infections, even when they cause a dry cough, can make your chest feel tight because of irritation in the lungs. In some cases, a pulmonary embolism—a blood clot in the lung—can cause these symptoms suddenly, though this is less common and usually more serious. Other lung conditions, such as the early stages of pneumonia or interstitial lung disease, might also be responsible. Each of these conditions irritates the lungs in a slightly different way, but they all can make you feel short of breath with a dry cough and a tight chest. If you have these symptoms, it’s important to speak with a doctor who can do tests, like chest X-rays, CT or lung function exams, to find out what is causing your discomfort and suggest the best treatment.