Who should and shouldn't take a Spirometry test?

Spirometry is the most common of the pulmonary function tests, measuring lung function, specifically the amount and/or speed of air that can be inhaled and exhaled. It is recommended for these patient groups:

• patients with undiagnosed respiratory symptoms

• patients with asthma

• smokers and former smokers, 40 years of age and older

• patients with diagnosed lung disease to:

  • determine their baseline lung function (lung capacity, health of the airways) and monitor changes in lung function over time
  • evaluate their lungs’ response to inhaled medications and determine which medications are most effective in treating their lung disease
  • follow-up on changes made to their inhaled medications
  • chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients (smokers or ex-smokers 40 years of age and older)

• COPD patients who have:

  • persistent cough and sputum production
  • frequent respiratory tract infections
  • progressive activity-related shortness of breath

• Children under 3 years of age

• People who have:

  • recently suffered a heart attack (MI or myocardial infarction)
  • a collapsed lung (known as a pneumothorax)
  • recently had eye surgery (cataract)
  • recently had a head injury or stroke
  • recently undergone abdominal or thoracic (chest) surgery
  • a blood clot(s) in their lungs (known as pulmonary emboli)
  • hemoptysis of unknown origin (excessive nose bleeds)
  • an active communicable disease (Tuberculosis, HIV, Hepatitis B)
  • presence of an acute illness or symptoms (i.e. nausea, vomiting)
  • thoracic, abdominal or cerebral aneurysms
  • unstable cardiovascular status (angina, blood pressure)