What are they?
Pulmonary Lung function test (PFT) or also called Lung or Breathing Test is a complete evaluation of the respiratory system including patient history, physical examinations, and tests of pulmonary function. The primary purpose of pulmonary function testing is to identify the severity of pulmonary impairment.
They allows to measure parameters like:
- The volume of air you can take into your lungs;
- The severity of any obstruction in your airways.
- How well your lungs can take up oxygen;
- The strength of your breathing muscles.
Your results are compared to predicted values calculated based on what would be expected in a healthy person of your age, height, weight, gender and ethnicity.
What to Expect
These tests are painless. They are performed by a Respiratory Physiologist, who will require you to use maximal effort to blow out and breathe in air. The tests will be repeated to make sure the results are accurate.
Your appointment can take up to 1 hour, depending on the tests requested by the doctor.
How can you prepare?
- Do not use inhalers containing salbutamol (Ventolin, Salamol), terbutaline (Bricanyl) or ipratropium (Atrovent) for 6 hours before the test.
- Do not use Seretide; Salmeterol (Serevent), Symbicort, Formoterol (Oxis), Fostair, Flutiform, Sirdupla, Duoresp or Aclidinium for 12 hours before the test.
- Do not use Incruse, Anoro, Duaklir, Spiolto, Relvar, Glycopyrronium (Seebri), Ultibro or Onbrez for 24 hours before the test.
- Wear loose fitting clothing.
- Do not smoke for 24 hours before the test.
- Avoid eating a heavy meal two to four hours before the test.
- Avoid vigorous exercise 30 minutes before the test.
- Avoid drinking alcohol on day of test.
*If unable to stop inhalers before testing due to short of breath, please advise your health professional on the day.
When will I get the results?
The physiologist will not be able to give you your results after the test. This information is reported to your consultant, and they will arrange either a letter to inform you of the examination results, a follow up clinic appointment or an appointment with a specialist nurse. If you were referred from your GP then the results will be sent back to them.
Contraindications for the test
If you have suffered from any of the following conditions in the last three months, call our Department on the 01914452080 and ask if you should keep your appointment:
- A chest infection or flare up, and still taking antibiotics or steroid tablets for these conditions.
- Uncontrolled angina or any other heart condition.
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure.
- A recent pneumothorax (air in the lung cavity).
- A heart attack or stroke.
- Recent eye surgery or retinal displacement.
- Chest or abdominal surgery.
- If you have coughed up blood.
- Pulmonary embolism.
Contact numbers for advice
Respiratory Physiologist, Cardiac diagnostics department
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Telephone number (0191) 445 2080
Monday to Friday 8.30am – 4.45pm.