The effects of long-term exposure to asbestos typically don't show up until between 15-30 years after you have ceased working with asbestos, or being exposed to it.

Signs and symptoms develop when damage and scarring to your lungs caused by the asbestos fibres prevent your lungs contracting and expanding normally. Symptoms include:

• Decreased tolerance for physical activity
• Shortness of breath when exercising, or even when resting
• Coughing
• Chest pain

Although most of these symptoms are similar to those for respiratory diseases such as asthma, the way in which they develop is different. In asbestosis the effects of the disease occur gradually over months and years.

Complications of asbestosis

Asbestosis may lead to the following conditions:

• High blood pressure in your lungs
  Asbestosis-related scar tissue may eventually compress or obliterate the small blood vessels in your lungs, causing high blood pressure in the arteries to your lungs (pulmonary hypertension).
  
  
• Heart problems
  Pulmonary hypertension can lead to enlargement and failure of your heart's right ventricle. The right ventricle assists in pumping oxygen-poor blood from your organs and tissues to your lungs, where your blood receives a new boost of oxygen. Initially, the heart tries to compensate but eventually the right ventricle weakens and fails from the extra strain.
  
  
• Lung cancer
  Asbestos has cancer-causing (carcinogenic) effects. If you suffer from asbestosis, your chances of developing lung cancer increases greatly, especially if you smoke as well because smoke and asbestos contribute to each other’s cancer-causing effects.
  
  
• Other lung damage
  Exposure to asbestos can lead to other health complications including changes in the thin membranes covering your lungs and lining your chest cavity (pleural membranes). Pleural changes may be the first signs of asbestos exposure. They are revealed by chest X-rays.

If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, please contact our solicitors or fill in our online claim form to discuss your own case and our team will guide you through the claims process.