Spirometry
Measures how much air you can breathe out and how fast - the standard test for asthma and COPD.
TypeBreathing test
HowTake a deep breath and blow out hard into a tube, a few times.
How oftenWhen symptoms appear; regularly with lung conditions.
BeforeAvoid smoking and heavy meals beforehand; ask about inhalers.
WhoPeople with breathlessness, cough, wheeze or a smoking history.
How well air moves in and out
Spirometry measures how much air you can blow out, and how fast. It’s the key test for asthma and COPD - and finds lung changes before symptoms become severe.
Asthma
“Do my airways narrow?”
Improves after an inhaler - a reversible pattern.
Reversible
COPD
“Is there lasting damage?”
Doesn’t fully improve - common with a smoking history.
Fixed
Restriction
“Are my lungs stiff?”
Lower volumes may need further lung testing.
Investigate
Is it right for you?
Worth considering if…
- You’re breathless or wheezy.
- You have a long-lasting cough.
- You smoke or used to.
A better option if…
- You have no symptoms and no risk - routine screening isn’t recommended.
How it’s measured
Spirometry
With or without an inhaler to test reversibility.
The full picture
What is it?
A breathing test measuring lung function.
What type of test is it?
A lung function test.
What does it measure?
FEV1, FVC and their ratio.
Why might someone consider it?
To diagnose and monitor asthma and COPD.
Who is it most relevant for?
People with respiratory symptoms or smoking history.
How is it performed?
Blow hard into a mouthpiece.
How often might it be considered?
When needed.
What can the result help you understand?
Whether airways are narrowed.
What are its limitations?
Needs good effort; can miss early disease.
What should it be viewed with?
Symptoms, smoking history and chest imaging.
Where to get it
Through your provider
Usually ordered when symptoms or results point to it.
Lab services
e.g. Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp - typically with a provider order.
Specialists
Your provider may refer you to a specialist to interpret it.
Names are examples only, not endorsements. Your provider can often order the same test - and help interpret it.
Connected to
Questions to ask your provider
- Should I have spirometry for my symptoms?
Ziva Health
One test is a snapshot. Ziva shows the whole story.
Ziva brings your lab results, wearables and daily readings together - and Isabella tells you what’s changing and what to ask your provider next.
Refer Ziva to my provider / care team
Is your provider not on Ziva yet? Send them a link in under a minute - once they join, they’ll see your Spirometry result alongside your other trends and get alerts directly.
Refer my providerAlready seeing your provider?
Bring your Ziva 30-day report to your next appointment - your Spirometry result and daily trends in one view, so the conversation starts with the full picture.
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Being listed doesn’t mean everyone needs this test. Educational only — not medical advice. Results should be interpreted with a qualified clinician. ← Back to Know What to Test