Why measure pef

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Thank you! You will now receive email updates from the American Lung Association. Select your location to view local American Lung Association events and news near you. Our service is free and we are here to help you. Measuring Your Peak Flow Rate. Section Menu. Green Zone : 80 to percent of your usual or "normal" peak flow rate signals all clear. A reading in this zone means that your asthma is under reasonably good control.

Continue your prescribed program of management. Yellow Zone : 50 to 80 percent of your usual or "normal" peak flow rate signals caution.

It is time for decisions. Your airways are narrowing and may require extra treatment. Your symptoms can get better or worse depending on what you do, or how and when you use your prescribed medication.

You and your healthcare provider should have a plan for yellow zone readings. Red Zone : Less than 50 percent of your usual or "normal" peak flow rate signals a Medical Alert.

Immediate decisions and actions need to be taken. Severe airway narrowing may be occurring. Take your rescue medications right away. Contact your healthcare provider now and follow the plan they have given you for red zone readings. Asthma Action Plan Based on Peak Flow Readings It is important to know your peak flow reading, but it is even more important to know what to do based on that reading.

Asthma Basics The American Lung Association's Asthma Basics course is a free one-hour interactive online learning module designed to help you learn more about asthma. Make a Donation Your tax-deductible donation funds lung disease and lung cancer research, new treatments, lung health education, and more. Doctors and health practitioners develop management plans based on the green-yellow-red zones.

Green Zone: 80 to percent of the usual or normal peak flow readings are clear. A peak flow reading in the green zone indicates that the lung function management is under good control.

Yellow Zone: 50 to 79 percent of the usual or normal peak flow readings indicates caution. It may mean respiratory airways are narrowing and additional medication may be required. Red Zone: Less than 50 percent of the usual or normal peak flow readings. Your healthcare provider will explain the procedure to you. Ask him or her any questions you have.

You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully. Ask questions if anything is not clear. Tell your healthcare provider if you take any medicines. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Before starting daily peak flow meter measuring, your healthcare provider may have you follow a detailed schedule over 2 to 3 weeks. This value will be used as a baseline for your daily measurements. Peak flow measurement is done 1 or more times daily at the same time of day, or whenever you are having early signs of an asthma attack.

Or you should use it when directed by your healthcare provider. Use the peak flow meter PFM before taking asthma medicine. Your healthcare provider may advise other times when using a PFM is useful. Before each use, make sure the sliding pointer on the peak flow meter is reset to the 0 mark. Take a deep breath and put the mouthpiece in your mouth. Seal your lips and teeth tightly around the mouthpiece. Blow out as hard and as fast as you can. Repeat this 3 times.

The 3 readings should be close together. If not, adjust your technique. Record only the highest of the 3 readings on a graph or in a notebook. Do not average the numbers together. The highest number is called your peak flow or personal best. Use the peak flow meter once a day, or as directed by your healthcare provider. You can download a peak flow diary PDF, 2. Your peak flow score — also known as your peak expiratory flow PEF — will be displayed on the side of your peak flow meter.

What's considered a normal score depends on your age, height and gender. Ask your GP or asthma nurse for more information on what would be considered a normal score for you. To help diagnose asthma, your result can be compared to what would usually be expected for someone of your age, height and gender.

A significant difference between your score and a normal score, or a difference in your scores in the morning and evening or when your symptoms are good and bad, may suggest you have asthma. If you're monitoring your asthma at home, your score should be compared to your best result at a point when your condition was well controlled.