Pulmonary Edema: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Pulmonary Edema?
A cardiologist, a doctor who treats heart disease, and a pulmonologist, a doctor who treats lung disease, often care for people with pulmonary edema. It is almost always treated in an emergency room or hospital. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is pulmonary edema?
Pulmonary edema is an abnormal buildup of fluid in the lungs. This buildup of fluid leads to shortness of breath. Edema is a word for swelling caused by too much fluid.
The fluid fills the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs where oxygen enters the blood. Doctors group it as cardiogenic, which means heart-related, or noncardiogenic, which means not heart-related.
Symptoms
Symptoms of pulmonary edema may include:
- Trouble breathing when lying down.
- A feeling of air hunger or drowning.
- Grunting, gurgling, or wheezing sounds when you breathe.
- Trouble speaking in full sentences because of shortness of breath.
- Coughing up blood or bloody froth.
- Pale or blue skin.
- Heavy sweating.
- Anxiety, restlessness, or being less alert than usual.
- Swelling in the legs or belly.
Causes and who gets it
Pulmonary edema is often caused by congestive heart failure, which means the heart cannot pump well. Blood can then back up into the blood vessels of the lungs. The pressure in these vessels goes up and pushes fluid into the air spaces.
Heart failure that leads to pulmonary edema may come from:
- A heart attack, or a disease that weakens or stiffens the heart muscle.
- Leaking or narrowed heart valves.
- Sudden, severe high blood pressure.
Pulmonary edema may also be caused by:
- Certain medicines.
- High altitude exposure.
- Kidney failure.
- Narrowed arteries that bring blood to the kidneys.
- Lung damage from burns caused by breathing in poisonous gas, or from a severe infection.
- A major injury.
Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema happens when the blood vessels in the lung become damaged or leaky. Pneumonia, an infection of the lung tissue, and trauma can cause it.
How doctors diagnose it
Your provider will do a physical exam. They will listen to your lungs and heart with a stethoscope. Crackles in the lungs, called rales, often mean there is fluid in the lungs. Possible tests include:
- Blood tests, such as blood chemistries and a complete blood count.
- Blood oxygen levels.
- A chest x-ray, which is often the first imaging step because it can show fluid in the lungs.
- An echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart, to see if there are problems with the heart muscle.
- An electrocardiogram (ECG) to look for signs of a heart attack or problems with the heart rhythm.
Treatment
Pulmonary edema is almost always treated in the emergency room or hospital. You may need to be in an intensive care unit (ICU). Oxygen is given through a face mask or tiny plastic tubes in the nose.
If you cannot breathe well on your own, a breathing tube may be placed so you can be connected to a breathing machine called a ventilator. This is only needed in severe cases. The cause of pulmonary edema should be found and treated quickly. For example, a heart attack must be treated right away.
Medicines that may be used include:
- Diuretics, also called water pills, that remove extra fluid from the body.
- Medicines that strengthen the heart muscle, control the heartbeat, or relieve pressure on the heart.
- Other medicines when heart failure is not the cause.
When to see a doctor
Call 911 if you have trouble breathing, including trouble breathing when lying down, trouble speaking in full sentences, or a feeling of drowning. Also call 911 if you have chest pain or discomfort lasting two minutes or more, cough up blood, faint, have blue skin, or are less alert than usual. Pulmonary edema can quickly become life threatening.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can review the health problems that raise your risk, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and kidney problems, and help you take your medicines as directed. They can also help coordinate follow-up with a heart or lung specialist after emergency care.
Common questions
Is pulmonary edema an emergency?
Yes, it can be. It is almost always treated in the emergency room or hospital. Call 911 if you have trouble breathing or chest pain. If it is not treated, it can be life threatening.
Can pulmonary edema be reversed?
Often yes, with the right care. One lung doctor calls it a treatable and readily reversible condition with the right management. The outlook depends on the cause, and it may get better quickly or slowly.
Can high altitude cause pulmonary edema?
Yes. High altitude exposure is one of the causes of pulmonary edema listed by MedlinePlus.
How can I lower my risk of pulmonary edema?
Take all of your medicines as directed if you have a disease that can lead to pulmonary edema or a weakened heart muscle. A healthy diet that is low in salt and fat can help. So can controlling your other risk factors for heart disease.
How is pulmonary edema different from pneumonia?
Pulmonary edema is a buildup of fluid inside the lungs. Pneumonia is an infection of lung tissue caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. The treatments are different, so a correct diagnosis matters.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Pulmonary edema
- American Lung Association - Everything You Need to Know About Pulmonary Edema
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
