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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffKey spirometry measurements include:
- Forced vital capacity (FVC). This is the largest amount of air that you can forcefully exhale after breathing in as deeply as you can. A lower than normal FVC reading indicates restricted breathing.
- Forced expiratory volume (FEV-1). This is how much air you can force from your lungs in one second. It's a good way to measure the severity of your breathing problems. Lower FEV-1 readings indicate more significant obstruction.
References
- What are lung function tests? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/lft/lft_whatare.html. Accessed May 18, 2011.
- Hegewald MJ, et al. Spirometry. In: Mason RJ, et al. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/192068760-2/0/1288/0.html. Accessed May 18, 2011.
- Enright PL. Office spirometry. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 18, 2011.
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