‘Deadly’ asthma attacks warning

A HEATWAVE in Britain which has seen temperatures rise to up to 37 degrees could put asthma suffers at risk of ‘deadly’ attacks, according to medical experts. 

Asthma UK’s clinical head Dr Andy Whittamore said a ‘toxic cocktail’ of hot humid weather and rising pollen levels made conditions for those with asthma ‘extremely hazardous’. 

“Hot air and hay fever can cause people’s airways to narrow, leaving them struggling to breathe, with symptoms like coughing, wheezing, a tight chest and breathlessness,” Whittamore said. 

It comes as Britain’s Met Office has forecast temperatures as high as 37 degrees in the southeast of England on Thursday. Those temperatures could break the record for the hottest day in July, according to the Met Office. 

An ‘African plume’ which is moving over Britain from the south is said to be the cause of the heatwave. 

England’s Chief Nursing Officer Ruth May said: “It’s really important to take simple precautions like drinking plenty of water, using high-factor sunscreen and remembering to take allergy medication if you need it.” 

Some 5.4 million people have asthma in Britain, according to Asthma UK.