Spirometry

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 compiled 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 week
  • Systemic hypotension or severe hypertension
  • Significant atrial/ventricular arrhythmia
  • Non-compensated 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 weeks
  • Recent concussion with continuing symptoms
  • Eye surgery within 1 week
     
• Due to increases in sinus and middle ear pressures
  • Sinus surgery or middle ear surgery or infection within 1 week
     
• Due to increases in intrathoracic and intraabdominal pressure:
  • Presence of pneumothorax
  • Thoracic surgery within 4 weeks
  • Abdominal surgery within 4 weeks
  • Late-term pregnancy
     
• Infection control issues
  • Active or suspected transmissible respiratory or systemic infection, including tuberculosis
  • Physical conditions predisposing to transmission of infections, such as haemoptysis, significant secretions, or oral lesions or oral bleeding
     

*Source: Standardisation of Spirometry 2019 update (An Official American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society Technical Statement). Available at: Indications and contraindications of Spirometry - ERS Respiratory Channel

Spirometry and hypertension

Three possible approaches, of equal acceptability:

1. spirometry is performed without any consideration of the subject’s blood pressure

2. spirometry is performed only after measurement of each subject’s blood pressure; and only if the blood pressure is below an arbitrarily set level:

   * >200/120 (Canadian Resp J 2013;20;13-22)

   * 180/100 (NIOSH)

3. 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.

Spirometry and menstrual cycle

• No relationship in health
• Small effect in women with asthma

Last updated September 2025
Due for review September 2026