Peak flow meter readings how to#

If there’s a big difference between your score and a normal score, or when you have symptoms or not, it could suggest you have asthma. Your GP or asthma nurse will be looking for a pattern of scores that show changes which are not normal. To help diagnose asthma, your GP can compare the peak flow score you get to the score usually expected for your age, height, and sex. Clean your peak flow meter by washing it in warm soapy water, rinsing it with clean water, and leaving it to air dry.Speak to your GP or asthma nurse or pharmacist If you’re finding it difficult taking your peak flow, or if you feel breathless or tight-chested afterwards.There’s space on the plan for you to write down actions you and your GP have agreed if your peak flow score is lower than usual. Always use an asthma action plan alongside your peak flow diary, so you know what to do if asthma symptoms get worse.Take your peak flow diary to your asthma review and any other asthma appointments to show your GP, asthma nurse or consultant how your asthma has been.This helps you and your GP or asthma nurse understand how different triggers affect your asthma and may help you prevent future dips. For example, ‘I exercised on Tuesday’ or ‘I came into contact with a pet.’ There’s space for you to do this in your peak flow diary. Write down your symptoms and what you’ve been doing too.Use the same peak flow meter every time.Use your best effort every time you blow into the meter so you’re comparing like with like.Use your peak flow meter before you take your asthma medicine or medicine for other lung conditions, otherwise it will change the score.This is because scores are naturally lower early in the morning. Check it at the same time every morning and every evening Remember, the earlier you do your peak flow test after waking up, the lower the score will be.Ask your GP or asthma nurse how often and for how long they would like you to take your peak flow readings.

Check your peak flow at least twice a day, every day to get a useful pattern of results.If you want to monitor on your asthma using peak flow, you’ll get the most useful results if you: If you have any questions about using your peak flow meter speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Use the highest of these scores to fill in your peak flow diary. Write down your score which is the number next to the pointer.ĭo this three times in a row with a short rest in between so that you get three scores.Īll three readings should be roughly the same but don't worry too much if they vary. Then blow as hard and as fast as you possibly can into the meter, like this. Then take the deepest breath you can and make sure your mouth makes a tight seal around the mouthpiece. Choose what's most comfortable for you and always do it that way. Pull the counter, the red arrow, back as far as it will go, to the top, near the mouthpiece. Take these steps to make sure you use your peak flow meter correctly. You need to use your best effort every time you blow into the meter so you're comparing like with like and you should use the same peak flow meter every time. Try to check it at the same time every morning and every evening. If you're checking your peak flow at home, you need to take your peak flow at least twice a day, every day to get a useful pattern of results.

Peak flow meter readings how to#

When you first get a peak flow meter, ask your GP, asthma nurse or pharmacist to show you how to use it and how to take a reading. I'm going to tell you how to use a peak flow meter. I'm a respiratory nurse specialist at Asthma + Lung UK.

Talk to your GP or asthma nurse about whether you need to monitor your peak flow, how often and what to do when your scores change. Monitoring peak flow could cut your risk of an asthma attack.Ĭhecking your peak flow at home is most useful if you’re recovering from an asthma attack, or your treatment plan has changed. It can help you understand when your symptoms are getting worse and what could be triggering them. This means taking your peak flow every day and writing down your scores in a peak flow diary.ĭoing this helps to see if your peak flow changes over time. They might also ask you to check your peak flow at home. Your GP or asthma nurse may do a peak flow test at your annual asthma review. This can show a pattern of peak flow scores over time that are not normal.Īlongside a clinical history, and other tests like spirometry and FeNO, peak flow can suggest you have asthma. You may be asked to keep a peak flow diary for two or more weeks to help your GP make an asthma diagnosis. Peak flow is mainly used to help diagnose and monitor asthma.