Risk factors

Anyone who has asthma is at risk of an asthma attack. You may be at increased risk of a serious asthma attack if:

• You've had a severe asthma attack in the past
• You've previously been admitted to the hospital or had to go to the emergency room for asthma
• You've previously required intubation for an asthma attack
• You use more than two quick-acting (rescue) inhalers a month
• Your asthma attacks tend to sneak up on you before you notice symptoms have worsened
• You have other chronic health conditions, such as sinusitis or nasal polyps, or cardiovascular or chronic lung disease