Elderly Australians shouldn't shrug off asthma symptoms, say experts after new data shows older women are most at risk of dying from the disease.
The asthma death toll in 2013 was 389 - 283 females and 141 males - compared to 384 in 2012.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics data found that more than 57 per cent of the deaths were people aged 75 and over, while the older women were two to three times more likely to die than their male counterparts.
Contrary to popular belief, people can get asthma for the first time later in life, said Dr Jonathan Burdon, chair of the National Asthma Council Australia.
"Without proper attention and management, new-onset asthma can be as deadly as long-standing asthma in adults if ignored," he said.
"It is essential that those who experience asthma signs and symptoms take action, and not dismiss or confuse them as simply due to old age."
Asthma deaths have dropped from a peak of 964 deaths in 1989 to the latest toll, but Dr Burdon said there was no room for complacency.
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