Breathlessness is one of the most common and distressing symptoms experienced by people living with long‑term respiratory, cardiac, and advanced disease conditions. It affects daily life, emotional wellbeing, and independence, yet it is often under‑recognised, under‑treated, and poorly understood. This project focuses on breathlessness because improving support for this symptom can transform quality of life for thousands of people.

Breathlessness is widespread across multiple conditions and stages of illness. It is not limited to one diagnosis and affects people in the community, in hospital, and in palliative care settings.

Key points to highlight:

• Breathlessness is experienced by millions of adults worldwide living with chronic respiratory diseases such as COPD, asthma, and interstitial lung disease.

• It is also common in heart failure, cancer, post‑COVID conditions, and advanced illness.

• Many people experience breathlessness daily, even when their underlying condition is stable.

• Prevalence increases with age, multimorbidity, and social disadvantage, making it a major public health issue.

• Despite its impact, breathlessness is often under‑reported by patients and under‑recognised by clinicians.

Breathlessness affects far more than breathing. It shapes how people move, think, feel, and participate in daily life.

Themes to include:

• Physical impact:  Breathlessness limits mobility, exercise tolerance, and the ability to perform everyday activities such as walking, washing, or climbing stairs.

• Emotional impact:  Many people experience fear, panic, anxiety, and loss of confidence. Breathlessness can feel unpredictable and frightening.

• Social impact:  People may avoid leaving home, reduce social contact, or withdraw from activities they enjoy. This can lead to isolation and reduced independence.

• Carer impact:  Family members often feel worried, helpless, or unsure how to support someone during episodes of breathlessness.

• Healthcare impact:  Breathlessness is a common reason for emergency department visits and unplanned hospital admissions, especially when symptoms worsen suddenly.

Current breathlessness support varies widely. Some people receive structured guidance, while others rely on brief appointments or general advice that doesn’t always help in day‑to‑day situations. The result is uneven access to techniques that could make a real difference.

This project focuses on closing that gap. By adapting the Breathlessness Support Service into a digital format, the core elements of the service: practical techniques, reassurance, and clear guidance, become easier to reach, regardless of location or clinic availability. It means people can access support when they need it, not only when an appointment is available.

The project also uses data to understand patterns in how people experience breathlessness. This helps shape a tool that responds earlier, adapts to different needs, and reflects the realities of people’s lives. The aim is straightforward: to make effective breathlessness support more consistent, more accessible, and more personalised.

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Müllerová H, Lu C, Li H, Tabberer M. Prevalence and Burden of Breathlessness in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Managed in Primary Care. De Torres JP, editor. PLoS ONE [Internet]. 2014 Jan 10 [cited 2025 Apr 10];9(1):e85540. Available from: https://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0085540