North Wales Assembly Member Mark Isherwood is encouraging his constituents to “listen to your lungs” by taking part in the British Lung Foundation’s online ‘breath test’.
Mr Isherwood supported the British Lung Foundation’s lung health awareness campaign at the National Assembly on October 4 by taking part in the test and finding out more about lung disease.
The charity was showcasing their Listen to your lungs campaign, aiming to raise awareness that feeling out of breath doing everyday tasks could be a sign of lung disease.
The test allows people to check their health through 10 simple questions, based around the Medical Research Council breathlessness scale. The aim is to reassure people who don't have a problem and guide those with significant breathlessness to make an appointment with their GP.
Mr Isherwood said: “Completing the BLF’s online ‘breath test’ is a really easy way of checking your lung health. I’d encourage everyone to try it. It’ll either give you peace of mind or start you on a path to helping you manage your breathlessness.
“Sixty-five per cent of people underestimate the proportion of deaths in the UK caused by lung disease[i] - it kills someone every 5 minutes. If you’re even slightly worried a loved one has been feeling increasingly short of breath, please make sure they take the test.”
Joseph Carter, Head of the British Lung Foundation Wales said:
“We’re throwing the spotlight on breathlessness, which can be a sign of lung disease, because fewer than half of us would be concerned at feeling short of breath doing daily tasks. Often people put it down to age or fitness, and don’t seek advice from their GP.
“70% of those taking our simple online test were found to have concerning breathlessness, which meant they were supported to get help from their GP. But crucially, the 30% who had their minds put to rest did so without having to visit a doctor, reducing unnecessary strain on our health service.
“It’s great to have the support of Mark in encouraging people to ‘Listen to their lungs’ if they feel breathless. Together we can ensure that those people who are suffering with an undiagnosed lung condition seek help and get the support they need. With treatment, people can live longer, healthier lives.”
Over 150,000 have already taken the British Lung Foundation’s breath test, but the charity wants even more to take it, then share it with their friends and family.
To take the test visit: www.blf.org.uk/breathtest