What is a spirometer?

During spirometry, you breathe through a mouthpiece connected to the device. The results show how much air you can move and how quickly you can exhale. Clinicians use the pattern to assess airflow limitation and to support evaluation of symptoms such as persistent cough, wheezing, or breathlessness.

A result is interpreted alongside your symptoms, examination, age, height, and medical history. A spirometer does not identify every lung condition, and a reading is not a diagnosis by itself.

Wear clothing that allows comfortable deep breathing and follow the clinic’s instructions about meals, smoking, exercise, and inhalers. Tell the clinician if you feel unwell, have chest pain, or recently had an infection. You will usually take repeated breaths and forceful blows so the team can check that the readings are consistent. Pause if you feel dizzy and tell the tester.

Spirometry is planned testing, not a substitute for urgent assessment. Seek urgent help for severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, fainting, confusion, or persistent chest pressure. If breathing symptoms worsen after testing or you remain unusually dizzy, contact the testing service or seek medical advice.

Ask what the test is checking, whether to change any inhaler before the appointment, and when your results will be explained. Ask how the findings fit with your symptoms and whether another test is needed.