Chronic breathlessness which is refractory to treatments for the underlying condition is a common symptom of frequently encountered conditions that present in primary care, including lung and heart disease, and cancer. Primary-care based chronic illness initiatives such as clinics for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and community heart nurse specialists play a vital role in optimising the management of the underlying condition(s), but for many people, especially in the later stages of the disease, breathlessness persists (chronic refractory breathlessness). Chronic refractory breathlessness is distressing for patients, their families and other caregivers, and for clinicians.
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