COPD: Catching the “Silent Killer”

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute about 12 million Americans probably have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but don't know it. Because COPD often produces no symptoms in its early stages, it is often not caught until severe breathing problems develop. That's why COPD is sometimes referred to as "chronic overlooked pulmonary disease."

Our new Special Report explains why early diagnosis of COPD -- often with a spirometry lung function test -- is so important. Here's an excerpt from COPD: Catching the "Silent Killer," which was recently posted on the Health Alerts website.


To help identify COPD at its earliest stages before it causes serious lung damage, anyone at risk for COPD should take a simple, painless, noninvasive breathing test called spirometry at the first sign of any breathing difficulties. People at risk for COPD include current and former smokers over age 40, anyone exposed to environmental tobacco smoke or irritants in the workplace, people with a family history of COPD, and anyone with the genetic abnormality alpha1-antitrypsin, or AAT, deficiency.