A ‘scarfie’ could save lives

Asthmatic people are being encouraged to wear scarves over their mouths and noses this winter as experts say breathing in cold air can increase their risk of an attack.

Asthma UK wants people to take “scarfies” this winter, encouraging asthma sufferers to take photos in scarves then post the selfie to social media to spread awareness of their campaign.

The campaign is in its third year and Asthma UK is encouraging people to use the #scarfie hashtag to once again spread the message “a scarf could save a life”.

Around four million Most people in the UK do not know how to respond if someone’s heart stops beating, a survey has found.

Nearly two-thirds (61%) admitted they would not know what to do if faced with a cardiac arrest and seven out of 10 people (70%) said they would not people – three-quarters of those with asthma in the UK – say breathing in cold winter air exacerbates their symptoms, which increases their risk of an attack.

One asthma attack occurs every 10 seconds in the UK, where 5.4 million people are receiving treatment for the condition – including 1.1 million children. Three people die every day following an asthma attack.

Asthma UK is encouraging people who live with the respiratory condition to wear scarves over their face and nose as it can warm the air before they breathe it in.

Lack of cardiac confidence

feel confident using a defibrillator, according to the poll for St John Ambulance.

The first aid charity warned that lives were being put at risk as it launched its C.A.R.E for a Heart campaign, to encourage the public to learn how to treat a cardiac arrest.