What is it?
Spirometry is a test used to assess how well your lungs are working, measuring how much air the patient can inhale and exhale and how quickly they can do so. A spirometry assessment can help diagnose symptoms such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema and pulmonary fibrosis.
Although generally a safe test, some patients may experience shortness of breath and or dizziness momentarily during assessment.
For any patient enquiries please speak to your cardiologist or contact Mildura Cardiology by phone (03) 5023 8111.
Procedure Information
What to bring
+ Any concession cards including Medicare and private heath fund cards.
+ All current medication in its original packaging.
Pre-procedure
No special preparation is needed to undertake an spirometry assessment
Procedure
+ You will be seated during the test.
+ A clip will be placed on your nose to keep your nostrils closed.
+ You will take a deep breath and breathe out as hard as you can for several seconds into the tube.
+ You’ll repeat the test at least three times to ensure your results are consistent.
+ Too much variation among the three outcomes may result in repeating the test again. The highest value among three close test results determine the final result.
+ The entire process usually takes less than 10 minutes.
+ You will then be given an inhaled medication (bronchodilator) after the initial round of tests.
+ You’ll need to wait 10 minutes and then do another set of measurements. Our reporting doctor then can compare the results of the two measurements to see whether the bronchodilator improved your airflow and produces the final report.
Discharge
+ Your Cardiac nurse will arrange a follow up appointment