An Epsom student living with a rare heart and lung disease has been raising awareness of the condition during pulmonary hypertension week.

The incurable condition, which affects just 7,000 people in the UK, causes high pressure in the blood vessels connecting the heart and lungs.

Symptoms include severe breathlessness, fatigue, blackouts and swelling around the ankles, arms and stomach.

Kaylee Mynot, 18, who studies at Nescot College in Epsom, was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH)as a baby.

She said: “I really want to help the public understand that some disabilities like PH are invisible, as I get a lot of funny looks and questions when I use my disabled badge and when I’m in and out of my wheelchair.”

“I try not to let PH affect my days, but sometimes it’s hard because I get so tired. It’s also annoying that I can’t keep up with my friends and that I’m at hospital so regularly.

“At primary school I’d struggle to understand why I wasn’t allowed to go to sleepovers and at secondary school I was always different, so it was hard to get people to understand me.”

Iain Armstrong, chair of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association UK, said: “Many hear the word ‘hypertension’ and immediately assume it is high blood pressure, but PH is an extremely serious, devastating condition that has a huge impact on people’s lives.

“You can’t tell someone has PH just by looking at them, and our members tell us they are often frustrated by people not understanding how ill they are, which is why encouraging people to talk about the disease during this awareness week is so vital.”

PH Awareness Week 2018 runs from October 22 to the 29. To find out more or get involved, visit www.phauk.org or search #PHWeek18 and #LetsTalkPH on social media.