Rory McGrath supports Public Health England Breathlessness campaign

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Cambridge resident and comedy writer Rory McGrath is supporting a new Breathlessness campaign launched in the East of England.

With recent figures showing there is more than 122,000 people in the region who may be living with undiagnosed heart or lung disease, thePublic Health England (PHE)campaign aims to raise awareness that being short of breath while doing everyday activities can be a sign of these conditions.

People are encouraged to see their doctor if they experience breathlessness while doing everyday activities, such as mowing the lawn, walking up stairs or getting dressed. Early diagnosis and treatment of heart or lung disease have the potential to save lives and improve the quality of life of those living with long-term conditions

Rory, who himself has been affected by heart disease as both his mother and father suffered with heart conditions, hopes his support will help to increase the number of people diagnosed with these conditions and receive the treatment that they need.

My mother, now in her eighties, has been troubled with serious heart problems for many years and it was a heart attack which finally took my father from us, so I am no stranger to the devastating effects heart disease can have on peoples lives, he said.

We all put things off but we hope this campaign will give people who are affected by breathlessness the little nudge they need to visit their doctor.

Dr Daryl Freeman, GP Principal Norfolk and East of England SCN Clinical Director, said: Many people put feeling short of breath down to getting older, being unfit or overweight and therefore stop doing the everyday activities when they find it most affects them.

However, their breathlessness could be a sign of something more serious, such as a lung or heart condition that needs medical treatment, and would benefit from prompt correct diagnosis.

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Rory McGrath supports Public Health England Breathlessness campaign