What should you know about BEV spirometry?

You breathe into a Spirometer through a mouthpiece while a nose clip may be used. The test records airflow during a full breath in and a forceful breath out. Clinicians consider the pattern with your history, examination and symptoms rather than treating one number as a diagnosis.

Spirometry may help investigate persistent cough, wheeze or breathlessness and assess conditions such as Asthma, COPD or Bronchiectasis. Results can vary with effort, technique and whether airways medicine was taken before testing.

Wear comfortable clothing and follow the clinic's instructions about meals, smoking and inhalers before the appointment. Tell the tester about recent illness, chest discomfort, dizziness or medicines that could affect the test. During each effort, seal your lips around the mouthpiece and keep blowing until instructed to stop; several attempts are often needed for a dependable pattern.

Do not stop a prescribed inhaler unless the testing team specifically tells you to. If smoking is difficult to stop, a Smoking Cessation Programme can provide structured support; Inhaler Therapy may be discussed after the results.

Tell the clinician immediately if testing causes marked breathlessness, chest pain, faintness or severe wheezing. Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty that continues after the test, blue lips, confusion or collapse.

Ask what the pattern suggests, whether repeat testing is needed, if medicines should be changed and which symptoms require urgent review.