Who can get COPD?
Anyone who smokes or who smoked in the past can get COPD. People with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, exposure to second-hand smoke or pollution, or many childhood chest infections, can also get it. People usually notice COPD symptoms when they’re in their 40s, 50s or 60s. Often people think their COPD symptoms – feeling short of breath, wheezing or coughing- are a normal part of getting older. They’re not. The sooner COPD is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. That’s why it’s important to catch symptoms early. If you are a smoker or a former smoker, take the Canadian Lung Health Test to see if you’re at risk for COPD.
