Patient video
We have developed this short animated video to help show patients how to perform spirometry in clinic:
Training
We provide one-day spirometry training for healthcare professionals with an interest in the use of spirometry in the workplace. The course is held three times a year. You can view our upcoming spirometry courses here.
Guidelines
We have also written the below guidelines on performing spirometry. Click here to download a printable version
Relative contraindications
- Due to increases in myocardial demand or changes in blood pressure:
- Acute myocardial infarction within 1 wk
- Systemic hypotention or severe hypertension
- Significant atrial/ventricular arrthymia
- Noncompensated heart failure
- Uncontrolled pulmonary hypertension
- Acute cor pulmonale
- Clinically unstable pulmonary embolism
- History of syncope related to forced expiration/cough
- Due to increases in intracranial/intraocular pressure:
- Cerebral aneurysm
- Brain surgery within 4 wk
- Recent concussion with continuing symptoms
- Eye surgery within 1 wk
- Due to increases in sinus and middle ear pressures
- Sinus surgery or middle ear surgery or infection within 1 wk
- Due to increases in intrathoracic and intraabdominal pressure:
- Presence of pneumothorax
- Thoracic surgery within 4 wk
- Abdominal surgery within 4wk
- Late-term pregnancy
- Infection control issues
Source: Standardisation of Spirometry 2019 update (An Official American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society Technical Statement)
Spirometry and hypertension
Three possible approaches, of equal acceptability:
- spirometry is performed without any consideration of the subject’s blood pressure
- spirometry is performed only after measurement of each subject’s blood pressure; and only if the blood pressure is below an arbitrarily set level*
- spirometry is preceded by a question along the lines of ‘since your last test have you been told by a doctor that you have high blood pressure that can’t be controlled’; and is omitted in those who answer ‘Yes’, without measuring the blood pressure.
* >200/120 (Canadian Resp J 2013;20;13-22)
* 180/100 (NIOSH)
Spirometry and menstrual cycle
- No relationship in health
- Small effect in women with asthma
