Introduction Coughing up blood, known medically as hemoptysis, is an alarming symptom that should never be ignored. While small streaks of blood in mucus may sometimes result from minor irritation, more significant or persistent bleeding can signal serious underlying conditions involving the lungs, airways, or heart. Recognizing the potential causes and knowing when to seek urgent care is critical for timely diagnosis and treatment. What is Hemoptysis? Hemoptysis refers to the expectoration of blood from the respiratory tract. This may appear as: It’s important to distinguish hemoptysis (from the lungs/airways) from bleeding that originates in the mouth, nose, or digestive…