What is a peak flow meter and how/why should I use one?
A peak flow meter is an instrument that measures your peak expiratory flow. This peak flow number indicates how well your lungs are working and is an important value to know in order to manage your asthma symptoms. Your health care provider may want you to manage asthma symptoms using an Asthma Action Plan [pdf]. • Stand or sit upright. • Move indicator to bottom of numbered scale. • Inhale to maximum – take in as deep a breath as possible. • Place mouthpiece in mouth between lips and teeth and close lips tightly around mouthpiece. (Do not put tongue in hole.) • Blow out hard and fast in a single blow. • Repeat steps 2-5 two times; best of three is the peak flow number. Your health care provider can instruct you on how often to determine your peak flow number and how to use it to manage any asthma symptoms. Here are some tips to help ensure accurate readings when using a peak flow meter: • Don’t slouch. Stand or sit up straight. • When exhaling, do it fast and from the lungs instead of
