A pulmonary contusion is a bruise to the lung caused by a strong impact to the chest. This causes bleeding and fluid in the lung, which can make breathing difficult.
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Difficulty breathing
Coughing
Fatigue
Chest pain after a hard hit
Difficulty breathing or catching your breath
A tight or heavy feeling in the chest
Pain that gets worse with breathing
Direct impact to the chest
Collisions during sports
Falls onto the chest
High-force contact injuries
Did the pain start after a hard hit to your chest?
Are you having trouble breathing?
Does breathing make the pain worse?
Do you feel tightness in your chest?
Did symptoms appear after an injury?
Educational only — not a medical diagnosis.
1Stop activity immediately
2Rest and avoid movement
3Avoid deep or forceful breathing
4Seek immediate medical evaluation
5Stay calm and limit movement
Severe difficulty breathing
Rapid worsening of symptoms
Coughing up blood
Confusion or dizziness
Chest pain that worsens quickly
Follow medical guidance
Gradually return to activity
Avoid contact sports until cleared
Allow time for lung healing
Monitor breathing symptoms
For educational purposes only. Not a substitute for medical advice.