Do you know the early warning signs of COPD?

More than 16 million people in the United States are diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Millions more are living with the disease but remain undiagnosed.

The first step toward diagnosis is to talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms and risk factors. Start the conversation early and do not wait until your symptoms interfere with your everyday activities.

Take the five-question survey.

Are you at risk of COPD?

Anyone can develop COPD; but if you are 40 years old or older and have a history of tobacco use, you may be at a higher risk of developing the disease.

Tobacco use is a leading cause of COPD; however, one in four people who develop COPD never smoked. Other causes and risk factors include exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, workplace exposures and a genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD).

Transcript

I was probably in denial, but the first symptoms I noticed was when I would walk with friends, I couldn't walk and talk at the same time. I'd have to slow down or stop and catch my breath. And then when I would get at home, I have to walk a flight of stairs and I'd get part way up, and I'd think, "My husband had to stop halfway up and catch his breath."

And so I went in one day and got his oximeter and put it on, and I got all the way up and I was down in the eighties and I thought, oh, that's not good. And I was getting bronchitis. So I got bronchitis four times in six months. And every time I would go back to the doctor, she would say, "Well, we'll just give you this antibiotic."

And so I wrote down, "I am short of breath. My oximetry goes down in the eighties and I've had bronchitis four times." And she said, "Well, we're going to give you a stronger antibiotic and for a longer time." And I walked out and I thought, "That's not the right answer."

So I went home and I called my husband's pulmonologist. They did all the testing and they came back and that's kind of how I got diagnosed with COPD.

What are the early warning signs of COPD?

Having a chronic cough or shortness of breath is not a normal part of aging. COPD may develop slowly, and as your lung function worsens, it becomes harder to breathe, remain active and continue to do the things you enjoy.

Not everyone has the same COPD symptoms. Common signs and symptoms include:

shortness of breath
cough that may bring up sputum (also called mucus or phlegm)
wheeze
chest tightness
fatigue or tiredness
reoccurring lung infections like acute bronchitis or pneumonia

Only your healthcare provider can diagnose COPD. A spirometry test will be ordered if your healthcare provider suspects you have COPD. The results of the spirometry test can determine if you have COPD.

Does this sound like you?

This webpage was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $400,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Page last updated: August 10, 2026

Early Warning Signs of COPD

Are you at risk of COPD?

What are the early warning signs of COPD?

Not everyone has the same COPD symptoms. Common signs and symptoms include:

Does this sound like you?

Early detection is key to potentially preventing COPD progression. There is no cure, but treatment, such as medications and pulmonary rehabilitation, can help reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.

How Can You Reduce Your Risk of COPD?

Have questions? Talk to a COPD Expert.

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