It is important to maintain good control of asthma, because asthma can cause death. Children and adults who have had one or more severe, life-threatening asthma attacks (status asthmaticus) are at increased risk of death from asthma.

In addition, if people with asthma don't follow their treatment plans and they overuse quick-relief medication, they may not seek care when it is needed. This might increase their chances of having severe asthma attacks that could be life-threatening or cause death.

Other factors that may increase the risk of death from asthma include:¹

• Prior need for a breathing tube (intubation) for asthma.
• Prior admission to a hospital's intensive care unit for asthma.
• More than two hospitalizations for asthma in the past year.
• More than three emergency visits to the hospital or health professional's office in the past year.
• A stay in the hospital or an emergency room visit for asthma in the past month.
• Long-term use of corticosteroid pills (either current use, or if you recently stopped using them).
• Not being able to tell whether breathing is becoming worse.
• Use of illegal drugs.
• Living in poverty.
• Serious mental problems.
• Having another health problem, such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) or cardiovascular disease.
• Allergy to a certain kind of outdoor mold (Alternaria).