More than a third of people with asthma are at high risk of a potentially fatal asthma attack, with many unaware of the fact, according to a survey of 30,000 asthma patients.
The Asthma UK report suggests people with asthma are considerably underestimating their risk of having an attack. Some 55 per cent of respondents did not think they were at increased risk, even though a significant majority (93 per cent) were.
The findings come from analysis of the charity's 'Triple A Test', which asks simple questions about factors which have been independently linked to an increased or highly increased risk of an asthma attack.
Neil Churchill, chief executive of Asthma UK, said it was 'extremely worrying' that many people with asthma do not realise their risk of ending up in hospital.
'Up to 75 per cent of emergency hospital admissions are preventable with better management and support, so it's vitally important people understand their asthma and crucial they are supported by health professionals who can help them reduce their risk.