Can I develop asthma at the age of 67? I have never smoked
and worked in an office all my life. I only have high blood pressure that is
well controlled. On a recent visit to my doctor, he told me I had developed
asthma because of the chronic cough that I have had.
The majority of asthma cases are diagnosed in childhood or
in the early teenager years. When one develops new onset asthma and a cough,
this is a cause for concern. It is unlikely that one can have asthma out of the
blue in the later years of life if the past medical history has been
uneventful. Moreover, if you do not smoke or have any chemical related work history,
then you definitely need more work up. The first thing to do is ask your doctor
to get a chest x-ray and a referral to a lung specialist. Asthma may be related
to the heart but this can easily be ruled out by obtaining an x-ray. If your
doctor does not intend to work you up more thoroughly, you need a new doctor.