Breathing muscle strength test

Need to know

• What happens during the breath test? icon plus

  Your respiratory specialist will tell you how to breathe when testing. To measure the strength of the muscles that help you breathe in, you will be asked to breathe out as long as you can and then suck hard on a mouthpiece for at least one second. T
  
  his will tell us your maximum inspiratory pressure. To check how strong the muscles are that help you breathe out, you’ll be asked to breathe in deeply first and then blow out as hard as you can into a mouthpiece. This is to tell us your maximum expiratory pressure. To assess your nose pressure, a small probe will be placed to block one of your nostrils. It measures the pressure while you sniff as hard as you can.

• How to prepare icon plus

  Your consultant will tell you how you should prepare for your breathing tests. As a guide, on the day of your test, you should:

  • continue with any prescribed inhalers or nebulisers, unless instructed not to do so by your doctor
  • avoid smoking, alcohol and vigorous exercise
  • not wear tight-fitting clothing which restricts your ability to breathe freely
  • not eat a big meal
  • bring any inhalers or medication with you

• After your test icon plus

  You will usually have to repeat each test a few times to make sure the results are as good as you can get. Some people may feel dizzy, faint, shaky, sick or tired for a short period afterwards. Measurements will show whether any problem with your lungs is obstructive, restrictive or a combination of the two. Your consultant will be able to share the results of your test with you once they have been analysed.