Getting ready for a spirometry test can feel overwhelming. Proper preparation makes a big difference in getting accurate results.
This simple breathing test helps doctors diagnose conditions like asthma and COPD. It measures how much air you can breathe in and out and how fast you can do it.
The key to successful spirometry testing is following specific preparation steps. This includes avoiding certain medications, not smoking for several hours beforehand, and wearing comfortable clothing that doesn’t restrict your breathing.
Many patients make common mistakes that can affect their test results. These mistakes can lead to the need for repeat testing or inaccurate readings.
At Gwinnett Pulmonary, we want you to feel confident and prepared for your spirometry appointment. Understanding what to expect during the test, how to prepare properly, and what your results mean will help ensure you get the most accurate assessment of your lung function.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know before, during, and after your spirometry test.
Spirometry testing measures how much air your lungs can hold and how quickly you can breathe it out. We use this simple test to find breathing problems and track how well treatments work.
We use spirometry testing to find out if your lungs work normally. The test helps us see if your airways are blocked or narrow.
Doctors order spirometry when you have symptoms like:
We also use spirometry testing to:
The test takes 15 to 30 minutes. We often repeat the breathing part three times to make sure we get good results.
Sometimes we give you medicine during the test. This opens up your airways so we can see how you respond to treatment.
During spirometry, we measure two main things about your breathing. First, we check how much air your lungs can hold.
Second, we see how fast you can blow air out.
The test measures:
We put soft clips on your nose during the test. This makes sure you only breathe through your mouth into the tube.
You take the deepest breath you can. Then you blow into the spirometer tube as hard and fast as possible.
The machine creates a graph that shows your breathing pattern. We compare your results to normal values for people your age, height, and gender.
Spirometry helps us find several lung diseases. The most common ones we diagnose are asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Asthma shows up when your airways get tight and swollen. Your spirometry results improve after we give you medicine that opens your airways.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) makes it hard to breathe out completely. Your airways stay narrow even with medicine.
We also use spirometry testing to find:
Some people have normal spirometry results even with breathing problems. When this happens, we might need other tests to find the cause of your symptoms.
Your complete medical history provides essential context for accurate test interpretation. Proper clothing and medication timing directly impact our ability to measure your lung function effectively.
We need complete information about your respiratory health to interpret your test results accurately. Your medical records help us understand baseline lung function and identify patterns over time.
Bring all previous spirometry results to your appointment. These allow us to track changes in your lung health and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
Essential information to share includes:
We also need to know about any surgeries involving your chest or lungs. Even procedures from years ago can affect your current lung function.
Recent COVID-19 infections may impact your results. Tell us about any respiratory symptoms that started after illness, even if they seem minor.
Loose-fitting clothes are essential for accurate spirometry results. Tight clothing restricts chest expansion and prevents you from taking the deepest breaths possible.
Choose clothing that allows full chest movement:
Avoid restrictive undergarments or shapewear. Skip belts or loosen them significantly.
Remove jackets, ties, or scarves before testing begins. These items can limit your breathing during the forceful exhaling required for accurate measurements.
Comfortable shoes are important too. You’ll be seated during most tests, but stable footwear helps you maintain proper posture for optimal breathing.
Asthma medications and bronchodilators can significantly affect your test results. We typically ask patients to avoid these medications for 4-6 hours before testing to get baseline measurements.
Common medications to pause include:
Never stop medications without consulting us first. We’ll provide specific instructions based on your treatment plan and the type of test we’re performing.
Continue taking all other medications as prescribed. Blood pressure medications, heart medications, and most other drugs don’t interfere with spirometry results.
If you accidentally use your inhaler before the test, tell us immediately. We may need to reschedule to ensure accurate results that properly reflect your lung health.
Proper preparation helps ensure your spirometry test gives accurate results that reflect your true lung function. We recommend avoiding smoking, managing your medications carefully, and making sure you’re healthy on test day.
Stop smoking at least 2 hours before your test. Smoking can worsen your spirometry results by affecting how well your lungs work during the test.
We also recommend avoiding large meals before your appointment. Big meals can make it harder to take deep breaths during the test.
What to avoid:
Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment. Tight shirts or belts can make it harder to breathe deeply during the test.
Light snacks are okay if you need to eat something. Just avoid anything that makes you feel too full or uncomfortable.
Stop using your bronchodilator and other asthma medications 4 hours before the test. This includes rescue inhalers and daily treatment medications.
Your doctor needs to see how your lungs work without medication help. Using inhalers too close to test time can give false results.
Common medications to stop:
Bring all your inhalers and medications with you to the test. We may ask you to use them after the first round of testing.
Never stop taking medications without talking to your doctor first. Some patients need to keep taking certain medications for safety reasons.
Reschedule your test if you have a cold, flu, or other respiratory infection. These infections affect your lung health and exhalation ability.
Signs you should postpone:
Wait at least 2-3 weeks after your symptoms go away before scheduling your test. This gives your lungs time to return to normal function.
Recent infections can make your test results look worse than your actual lung function. We want to measure your true breathing ability, not how sick you were.
Call our office if you’re unsure whether to come in. We can help you decide if you should keep or reschedule your appointment.
The spirometry test involves breathing into a specialized machine that measures your lung capacity and airflow. You’ll use proper breathing techniques and focus on complete exhalation to ensure accurate measurements.
We place soft clips on your nose before starting the test. This ensures all air flows through your mouth into the spirometer device.
The spirometer connects to a tube that you breathe into. This machine measures how much air your lungs hold and how fast you can blow it out.
You’ll sit upright during the test. We position the mouthpiece so you can breathe comfortably through it.
Key components include:
The test takes 15 to 30 minutes total. We repeat the breathing exercises three times to get consistent readings.
We guide you through specific breathing steps during the spirometry test. First, take the deepest breath possible to fill your lungs completely.
Your diaphragm should expand fully as you inhale. This muscle helps your lungs take in maximum air volume.
Next, we ask you to blow out as hard and fast as you can. Keep blowing until your lungs feel completely empty.
Proper technique involves:
We may coach you through each breath. Follow our instructions carefully for the most accurate results.
Complete exhalation provides the most important data in your spirometry test. This measurement shows how well air moves out of your lungs.
We measure two key values during exhalation. The first is how much total air you can blow out.
The second is how fast you can empty your lungs. Poor exhalation technique can lead to incorrect results.
Stopping too early or not blowing hard enough affects the measurements.
Signs of proper exhalation:
Your exhalation pattern helps us detect airway blockages or breathing problems. We may ask you to repeat the test if your effort seems incomplete.
Getting accurate spirometry results depends on your preparation and technique during the test. Staying calm, taking breaks between attempts, and creating a proper seal with the mouthpiece will help ensure your lung function measurements are reliable.
We recommend arriving at your appointment feeling calm and relaxed. Stress and anxiety can affect your breathing patterns and make it harder to perform the test correctly.
Take slow, deep breaths before the test begins. This helps your lungs prepare for the maximum effort required during spirometry.
If you feel nervous, try these simple techniques:
Practice this pattern a few times before your test. It helps establish steady breathing and reduces anxiety.
Avoid rushing to your appointment. Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early so you have time to settle in and relax.
Tell your healthcare provider if you feel anxious. They can explain each step and help you feel more comfortable with the process.
You will need to perform the spirometry test multiple times. Most patients complete at least three attempts to get consistent results.
Take breaks between each attempt. This prevents you from getting tired or dizzy from repeated forced exhalation.
Rest for 30-60 seconds between tests. This gives your lungs time to recover and helps maintain your energy.
Key rest periods:
Don’t worry if you need more rest time. Your comfort and safety are more important than rushing through the test.
Some patients may feel tired after several attempts. This is normal and the feeling will pass quickly once testing is complete.
Creating a tight seal around the mouthpiece is essential for accurate measurements. Any air leaks will affect your lung function results.
Place your lips firmly around the entire mouthpiece. Make sure no air can escape from the sides of your mouth.
Keep your tongue below the mouthpiece opening. Don’t let it block the airflow during breathing or exhalation.
Proper seal checklist:
Your healthcare provider will check your seal before each test. They may adjust the mouthpiece or give you tips to improve it.
If you wear dentures, make sure they fit properly before the test. Loose dentures can make it harder to create a good seal.
Your spirometry results provide crucial data about your lung health and help determine if you need treatment for conditions like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or pulmonary fibrosis.
Your spirometry results compare your lung function to healthy people of your same age, height, and sex. We measure two main values to assess your breathing ability.
FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume) shows the percentage of air you can exhale in one second. Normal results are 80% or higher.
Lower scores suggest blocked airways. FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) measures the total air you can exhale during the test.
Reduced FVC means something restricts your breathing. We use these score ranges to determine lung health:
The FEV1/FVC ratio tells us what type of lung problem you might have. Normal ratios are 70% or higher for adults under 65.
Lower ratios help us identify conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma.
If your results show lung problems, we’ll create a treatment plan based on your specific diagnosis. You may need medicine, breathing exercises, or lifestyle changes.
We often repeat spirometry tests to track how well your treatment works. This helps us adjust your care plan.
For asthma patients, we might test you with bronchodilator medicine during spirometry. This shows us if opening your airways improves your breathing.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requires regular monitoring. We use follow-up tests to see if your condition stays stable or gets worse over time.
If we suspect pulmonary fibrosis or other scarring diseases, you may need more tests. These could include chest X-rays or CT scans.
Your doctor will explain what your results mean for your daily life. We’ll discuss any limits on activities and when to seek emergency care.
Spirometry testing is one of the most important steps in diagnosing and managing conditions like asthma, COPD, and other lung concerns. By preparing properly, you give your care team the most accurate information to guide your treatment.
At Gwinnett Pulmonary & Sleep, we’re here to walk you through every breath—before, during, and after your test.
Call us at 770‑995‑0630 or schedule your spirometry appointment today to get expert answers and compassionate care close to home.
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