Table 1 Dyspnea Severity Scale
From: Estimation of the severity of breathlessness in the emergency department: a dyspnea score
Dimension | Category | 0 point | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Exercise tolerance | No dyspnea during regular activity | Dyspnea during walking | Dyspnea after a few steps | Dyspnea in rest |
2 | Speech | Undisturbed in rest | Unable to finish a whole sentence | Tells only short sentences or words | Unable to speak, only nodding |
3 | Cooperation | Executes instructions | Execute instructions after repeated requests | Difficult to tolerate oxygen mask | Agitated, unconsciousness |
4 | Cyanosis | None | Lips/acro-cyanosis during exercise | Lips/acro-cyanosis in rest | Severe cyanosis with cold sweat |
5 | SpO2 | In rest >95% in ambient air | In rest 90–95% in ambient air, >95% after <5 l/min oxygen inhalation | In rest <90% in ambient air, >95% after high flow of oxygen inhalation | In rest <90% in ambient air, <95% after high flow of oxygen inhalation |
6 | Breathing | Normal in rest | Respiratory rate >24/min in rest | Using respiratory muscles | Orthopnea |
7 | Heart rate/rhythm | HR < 100/min in rest | 100/min < HR <120/min in rest | 120/min < HR <140/min in rest or HR >100/min with arrhythmias | HR >140/min in rest or HR >120/min with arrhythmias |