Pulmonary Lung Function Testing (PFT)

What is being tested?

A pulmonary lung function test (PFT) evaluates how well the lungs work. PFTs measure the amount of air in your lungs, how well the lungs move air in and out, and possibly how medications affect the lungs. Your doctor may send you for PFTS to diagnose a lung disease; measure the severity o f lung problems, as a pre-operative work-up or to see if a treatment is working for lung disease.

How can I prepare?

Tell your doctor if you have had recent chest pains or a heart attack, you take medications for a lung problem, if you are allergic to any medications, or if you are pregnant or nursing a child. Bring a list of all medications you are taking. You may be asked to refrain from using your inhaled bronchodilator four to six hours before the test; check with your doctor if you have any questions about this.

Don’t eat a heavy meal right before the test, and avoid caffeinated foods or drinks. Don’t smoke or exercise strenuously for six hours before the test. On the day of the test, wear loose clothing that won’t restrict your breathing and wear dentures to the testing if you normally wear them.

PFTs can help diagnose

• Asthma

• Allergies

• Chronic Bronchitis

• Respiratory Infections

• Lung Fibrosis

• Bronchiectasis

• Chronic Obstructive Pumonary Disease (COPD),
  which is used to be called emphysema

• Abestosis, which is a condition caused by exposure to asbestosis

• Sarcoidosis, which is an inflammation of your lungs, liver,
  lymph nodes, eyes, skin and other tissues

• Scleroderma, which is a disease that affects your connective tissue.

• Pulmonary tumor

• Lung cancer

Please note

The PFT test will not be performed if:

The patient has current chest pains, an unstable heart condition, or suffered a recent heart attack.

The patient has high blood pressure before the test.