Every breath you take

The campaign will encourage people not to ignore feeling breathless doing everyday tasks and to take a simple online breath test to see if they might need to see a GP.

People are asked to answer ten questions based around the Medical Research Council breathlessness scale. This test will support the campaign by helping people decide if they need to see a GP.

The aim is to reassure people who don’t have a problem and guide those with significant breathlessness to make an appointment.

Irene Johnstone, head of Scotland, British Lung Foundation, said: “I want to raise awareness in Scotland about the respiratory health challenges affecting so many people.

“BLF Scotland is pushing for change and has asked for a National Lung Improvement Plan for Scotland to halt the increase of lung disease and to see a long term, sustainable improvement in Scotland’s lung health.

“There are nearly 900,000 people in Scotland living with lung disease; the most prevalent conditions are COPD and lung cancer.

“This is a key health issue for the nation impacting on health services and life expectancy.”

The campaign has been supported by Olympic Rower, Dr Tim Brabants MBE, writer and media medic Dr Carol Cooper and actor, David Oakes.

Dr Iain Small, Primary Care Respiratory Society UK, said: “I support the BLF campaign which will highlight the importance of respiratory health in day-to-day life.

“Breathlessness doing everyday tasks is one of the most important signs of lung disease and something that shouldn’t be ignored.

“The online breath test will help to identify those people who should see a medical professional and get their overall health checked.”

The British Lung Foundation wants at least 100,000 people to take the test and share it with their friends and family.

○To take the test or for more information, visit www.blf.org.uk/breathtest