Spirometry
How much air you can breathe out, and how fast. Often repeated after a breathing medicine to see if it helps. About 30 minutes.
Your lung function test, explained
A pulmonary function test (PFT) is a set of breathing tests. It shows your doctor how well air moves in and out of your lungs, how much air your lungs hold, and how well oxygen reaches your blood. Nothing is injected, and nothing hurts.
Lung volumes and DLCO
How much air your lungs hold, and how well oxygen passes into your blood using a short breath-hold. About 25 minutes.
Muscle strength and walk test
How strongly you can breathe in and out (MIP/MEP), and how far you walk in six minutes with your oxygen checked, when your doctor orders them.
How to prepare for your test
Small things change how your lungs perform on the day. Please follow these unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
1 hour before
No smoking, vaping or hard exercise.
2 hours before
No large meal.
8 hours before
No alcohol. On the day, wear loose clothing that doesn’t press on your chest.
Your breathing medicines
Some inhalers may need a short pause before the test. Don’t stop any medicine unless you’ve been told to.
On the day of your test
The tests take 30 to 60 minutes. A respiratory therapist coaches you through each breath, and you repeat each test a few times. That’s normal, and it’s how we get an accurate result.
What to bring
A photo ID, your insurance card, and a list of your medicines, including inhalers.
Tell us first
If you recently had a heart attack, eye, chest or belly surgery, or a collapsed lung, are coughing up blood, or have a cold or flu.
During the test
You sit and breathe through a clean, filtered mouthpiece with a soft clip on your nose. You can rest between tries.
Afterwards
Go back to your normal day right away. Your interpreted results go to the doctor who ordered the test within 24 hours, and your doctor will review them with you.
Frequently asked questions
Still have questions? Ask your doctor’s office or contact us.
Will the test hurt?
No. There are no needles. Breathing hard can be tiring, and you can rest between tries.
Is it covered by insurance?
Tests ordered by your doctor are usually covered by Medicare and most health plans. Your costs depend on your plan.
Can family come with me?
Yes. A family member or caregiver is welcome to stay with you during the test.
Help in other languages?
Yes. Free language assistance is available, including Spanish. Tell us your preferred language when your test is scheduled.