Which condition is indicated by sudden chest pain and shortness of breath that worsens by deep breaths?

Sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, particularly when these symptoms worsen with deep breaths, are indicative of a pneumothorax. In this condition, air leaks into the pleural space, which can disrupt normal lung expansion and lead to sharp, localized chest pain that may increase with inhalation or deep breathing. The presence of air in the pleural cavity can cause the lung to collapse partially or fully, leading to restricted airflow and shortness of breath.

While other conditions like an asthma attack, pulmonary embolism, and heart attack can also present with chest pain and shortness of breath, the characteristic worsening of pain with deep breaths aligns most closely with a pneumothorax. An asthma attack typically involves wheezing and is more associated with bronchoconstriction rather than sharp pain. A pulmonary embolism might involve sudden shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain but is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as cough or hemoptysis. A heart attack generally causes a more diffuse chest pressure or heaviness rather than sharp pain localized to one area. Therefore, the combination of sudden chest pain that relates to breathing mechanics strongly points to a pneumothorax as the underlying condition.