Shortness of breath by half capacity is one symptom of pulmonary embolism.
Pulmonary embolism . Symptoms of a PE may include shortness of breath , chest pain particularly upon breathing in , and coughing up blood . Shortness of breath . In 85 % of cases it is due to asthma , pneumonia , cardiac ischemia , interstitial lung disease , congestive heart failure , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , or psychogenic causes , such as panic disorder and anxiety .