Your spirometry (breathing test) appointment
You have been invited by your GP for a Breathing test to measure how well your lungs work.
- Spirometry measuring the size of your lungs, airways, and the air flow from your lungs. Sometime Reversibility testing is also carried out following Spirometry; this measures the lungs response to medications that open up the airways (bronchodilators).
This test helps to detect lung problems and indicate specific treatments depending on the test results.
Spirometry is a breathing test. The test requires you to do a series of deep breaths in and slow/hard blows out depending on the test, the Clinician will guide you through the procedure on the day of testing.
On the day of testing please do not take your usual inhalers, however please bring your inhalers and spacer to Clinic to have during or after your breathing test
To get the best possible results, please do not:
- Smoke or vape for 24 hours before the test.
- drink any alcohol for at least four hours before the test.
- do any heavy exercise for at least 15 minutes before the test.
- have any large meals before the test (a sandwich is fine).
- Please avoid and processed meats and green vegetables on the day of testing
- Do not wear tight or restricting clothing on the day of the test.
It is important that when you attend for your breathing test that you have been well in the last 6 weeks, Spirometry results can be affected if you have experienced:
- A chest infection or taken antibiotics or steroids for your breathing
- Had eye, chest or abdominal surgery
- Have uncontrolled high or low blood pressure
- Have coughed up blood, experienced chest pain, had a heart attack or stroke
- A recent COVID infection in the past 12 weeks
If you have been unwell, have very high or low blood pressure, had recent surgery or hospital Admission in the last 6 weeks, please contact us to rebook your spirometry test after you have recovered.