Coughing up blood

Coughing up blood is a symptom of a serious underlying medical condition. It can appear as bright red blood, or it can be mixed with mucus or phlegm. It usually develops gradually, and may be accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, or a feeling of tightness in the chest. Coughing up blood can be caused by a variety of conditions, including infections, pulmonary embolism, chronic bronchitis, and lung cancer.