Free lung tests at Stockholm Central Station
[NEWS 21 June 2012] Do you suddenly find yourself out of breath after a short walk to the underground station? Is that cough that's been troubling you since the spring unusually persistent? Then don't miss the opportunity to take a free lung test on World Spirometry Day, 27 June, at Stockholm Central Station!
The event is being arranged by Karolinska Institutet's Centre for Allergy Research and the Heart-Lung Foundation, which is the main sponsor. Also involved are the Asthma and Allergy Association and the Sluta-röka-linjen (the quit-smoking hotline), amongst others. Everyone over the age of 18 who happens to be passing will be invited to test their lung capacity with a spirometer; people younger than this will have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Between 800 and 1,000 people are expected to test themselves during the event, which is taking place on World Spirometry Day. One of the main aims of the project is to pick up people with prodromal COPD and to inform the general public about lung diseases such as asthma and the risks of smoking. This year's World Spirometry Day is also associated with the London Olympics in order to encourage people to engage in physical activity regardless of age and ability.
There will be eight testing booths in the main concourse of the Central Station, each staffed by nurses and other specialists. Medical personnel will assess the results and give on-the-spot advice. People with aberrant results will receive a letter, that they can take to their local medical centre.
When and where:
Wednesday 27 June, 8 am 6 pm in the main concourse of Stockholm Central Station.
COPD and asthma are two common chronic conditions, and the only way to discover COPD is to measure lung capacity using a spirometer to test expiration. Spirometry is also used in the diagnosis of asthma. Early diagnosis is important in both diseases.
"This is a unique initiative to find people living with undiagnosed lung diseases," says Professor Kjell Larsson at the Centre for Allergy Research and vice chair of the Heart-Lung Foundation's Scientific Council. "We hope that allowing people to test themselves in a public place will teach us more about asthma, COPD and other pulmonary diseases."
- More on the event at Stockholm Central Station
- More on World Spiromitry Day
- More on the Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation