Trouble Breathing?
#SaySpirometry!
Spirometry is a breathing test that can help identify lung conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. If you’re having trouble breathing, the Lung Health Foundation encourages you to visit a healthcare provider and ask for the test by name.
Want to #SaySpirometry?
Start here!
Spirometry isn’t a household name – yet. In this video you will meet Margo, a person living with COPD, and Laura, one of the Certified Respiratory Educators behind our My Lung Health Coach program. Here’s what they want you to know about Spirometry.
5 Fast Facts About Spirometry
5. When it comes to diagnosing chronic lung disease, Spirometry beats going off symptoms alone.
Click here to learn which symptoms should encourage you to visit a healthcare provider and #SaySpirometry.
4. The test is non-invasive.
While the test does require some effort, your healthcare provider will guide you through all the steps. Click here to learn exactly what to expect during a Spirometry test.
3. An early diagnosis through Spirometry means better outcomes.
While the test does require some effort, your healthcare provider will guide you through all the steps. Click here to learn exactly what to expect during a Spirometry test.
2. Even though it’s the “gold standard” test for diagnosing COPD, it’s under-used in Canada.
Click here to learn how the Lung Health Foundation is advocating for more access to Spirometry
1. You can ask for the test by name!
Click here for tips about starting a Spirometry conversation with a healthcare provider.
What to Expect During a Spirometry Test
Where Spirometry Is Done?
How you access spirometry largely depends on where you live in Canada. For example, people living in Alberta, Newfoundland, and Saskatchewan can access Spirometry through their province’s Health Authority, while someone in Ontario might benefit from Spirometry testing at their primary care provider’s office if they take part in the Primary Care Asthma and COPD Program.
Need guidance on where to start? Try our virtual 1:1 service!
Need guidance on where to start?
Try our virtual 1:1 service!
Did you know that you can book an appointment to speak with a Certified Respiratory Educator (CRE)?
This free service is available across Canada — no referral required. Simply email patientsupport@lunghealth.ca or call 1-888-344-LUNG (5864) to schedule your appointment.
Spirometry can be performed in:
Primary Care
Spirometry is sometimes performed in a primary care setting, like the clinic where you see your family doctor or nurse practitioner. However, not all clinics have Spirometry equipment and trained staff trained to deliver the test and interpret the results.
If that’s the case, you may be referred to:
Hospitals and specialized clinics
A pulmonary function lab (PFT) in a hospital has more equipment. You may be referred here if you need more detailed testing. A Spirometry test is an “outpatient” procedure, so a stay is not required.
Mobile clinics
In rural and remote communities, mobile spirometry clinics are increasingly used to screen people for conditions like COPD. These services typically require a referral.
How should I prepare for Spirometry?
Spirometry isn’t a household name – yet. In this video you will meet Margo, a person living with COPD, and Laura, one of the Certified Respiratory Educators behind our My Lung Health Coach program. Here’s what they want you to know about Spirometry.
What Will Happen During My Spirometry Test?
Getting set up
- You’ll be asked to sit upright in a chair with a small clip on your nose. This ensures that all of your air goes in and out of your mouth.
- The spirometry technician will explain what will happen during the test.
- The spirometry technician will put a disposable mouthpiece on the spirometer, and you will wrap your lips around it creating a tight seal.
The breathing test
You will be coached through a specific breathing pattern, including:
- Take a deep breath in – as full as possible
- Blast that air out hard and fast into the tube
- Keep blowing until your lungs feel completely empty, which will take several seconds
- For accurate results, you’ll need to follow the technician’s instructions and repeat the sequence at least three times.
Post bronchodilator testing
A post-bronchodilator spirometry test is a repeat of the breathing test after you inhale a medication (bronchodilator) that helps open the airways. Comparing the results before and after the medication helps your healthcare provider see how your airways respond to treatment and can provide additional information to support an accurate diagnosis. In this case:
- You will be given a dose of a reliever inhaler (usually blue)
- You will wait about 15 minutes for the bronchodilator to take effect
- You will then repeat the breathing sequence at least 3 more times.
How Will I Feel During the Spirometry Test?
A Spirometry test should not cause pain, but it can feel like a workout for your lungs. Temporarily, you may feel:
- Tired from the intensity
- Lightheaded or a bit dizzy
- Like you are being pushed to empty your lungs much more than usual
Communicate with the spirometry technician and your healthcare provider about your concerns. They are there to help.
What Does Spirometry Measure?
Spirometry measures your breath’s volume + speed, giving a clear picture of how well your lungs are working. During a Spirometry test, your healthcare provider is measuring:
The total amount of air you can force out after taking a deep breath
Your healthcare provider will record this as FVC, or Forced Vital Capacity. FVC helps them understand your lung capacity.
If that’s the case, you may be referred to:
How much air you can blow out in the first second
Your healthcare provider will record this as FEV1, or Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second. FEV1 helps them understand how open or blocked your airways are.
The key is the relationship between these numbers
Putting these two figures together — also known as the FEV1/FVC ratio — is what helps your healthcare provider identify conditions like asthma and COPD, where airways are narrowed.
How will I receive my results?
You’ve been bold enough to #SaySpirometry and complete the test – now what?
In Canada, results aren’t usually handed to you on the spot. They are typically sent to the healthcare provider who referred you after being carefully reviewed and interpreted by a specialist.
In most cases, you will have a follow-up call or visit with your healthcare provider, where they will:
- Explain what the numbers mean (like FEV1 or FVC)
- Tell you if anything is concerning
- Discuss next steps (treatment, more tests, etc.)
Did you know?
Spirometry interpretation requires clinical judgment, not just reading numbers. It’s why different clinicians may interpret the same test differently depending on their experience level, use of reference values, and how closely they follow guidelines.
To meet the needs of clinicians and encourage a world where everyone can #SaySpirometry, the Lung Health Foundation is creating a standardized, accredited training module to encourage consistent, high-quality spirometry testing and interpretation across clinical settings, aligned with current guidelines and competency standards.
Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
Trouble breathing is not always a normal part of aging. If you’re noticing symptoms that make everyday activities harder, it’s time to get answers.
If you suspect COPD or asthma, Spirometry is key.
COPD Symptoms
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is rare in younger people, but common in adults 65 years and older. Common symptoms include:
- A cough that lasts a long time (3+ months)
- A cough with mucus
- Feeling short of breath while doing everyday activities, such as climbing a flight of stairs or carrying groceries
- Lung infections (colds and the flu) that may last longer than usual
- Wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe)
- Feeling tired
- Losing weight (without trying to)
Asthma Symptoms
People of all ages can have asthma. Different people have different asthma
symptoms, but there are some common ones, including:
- Feeling short of breath (at rest or when exercising)
- Chest tightness
- Coughing
- Wheezing
Book an LHF Expert
Symptoms are important, but they don’t tell your healthcare provider the whole story.
The Canadian Thoracic Society recommends spirometry as the objective test required to diagnose COPD and asthma, rather than relying on symptoms alone.
SOURCE:
Coates, Allan L, Graham, Brian L, McFadden, Robin G, McParland, Colm, Moosa, Dilshad, Provencher, Steeve, Road, Jeremy, Spirometry in Primary Care, Canadian Respiratory Journal, 20, 615281, 4 pages, 2013. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/615281
Why Earlier Detection Creates Better Outcomes
If your symptoms are caused by a condition like COPD, getting diagnosed earlier can help you access treatment, manage symptoms, stay active, and maintain your quality of life for longer.
Accurate diagnosis through pulmonary function testing can:
- Prevent misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment approaches.
- Slow down progression by letting you get started on the right treatment sooner and preventing flare-ups (exacerbations) that can cause lasting harm.
- Get you started building skills and confidence to manage your condition, leading to improved quality of life.
- Help you plan ahead with clarity while symptoms are milder, preventing crisis-driven decisions down the road.
For some people, a diagnosis starts with a conversation – and that’s why we’re encouraging Canadians to #SaySpirometry!
Our Programs and Services
If you #SaySpirometry and get diagnosed with a lung condition, you will not have to face it alone.
The Lung Health Foundation is dedicated to fostering a supportive community for individuals impacted by lung conditions. In The Loop, our dynamic, person-centered online platform, you can connect with others, engage directly with the Lung Health Foundation, participate in meaningful initiatives, and access a wide range of programs and services like:
Loop+
We’re excited to share the launch of The Loop+, our exclusive online community hosted on Circle. This new space gives you even more ways to connect, learn, and engage with others who share your lung health journey. Join now!
Lung Health Line
Our Community Navigator can answer questions about our programs and services, share resources with you and connect you with one of our Certified Respiratory Educators, who are registered healthcare professionals. Learn more!
My Lung Health Coach
[currently Ontario only]
The My Lung Health Coach program offers one-on-one person-centred support, education, and coaching from one of the Lung Health Foundation’s Certified Respiratory Educators (CREs). Our CREs will work directly with you to help you better manage your COPD. The program is free of cost and is offered virtually or over the phone allowing you to join from anywhere in Ontario! Learn more!
Support Groups
Are you looking for a welcoming and understanding community? Our virtual support groups offer a safe space for people living with lung conditions to share their experiences, exchange information and resources, and receive encouragement and inspiration from others. Learn more!
Fitness for Breath
Fitness for Breath is a virtual, easy-to-access library of guided exercise videos designed specifically for people living with lung conditions. By taking part, you can improve your physical abilities, increase your confidence, and gain practical tips for managing your lung health. Learn more!
Canadian Pulmonary Rehabilitation Portal
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programs are evidence-based, multicomponent interventions support people living with moderate-to-severe COPD. This searchable portal offers an easy-to-use map of pulmonary rehabilitation programs across Canada. Try the portal!
NEW: Peer-to-Peer Mentorship
Through one-to-one peer relationships, the program provides a chance to share experiences, build connections, exchange practical insights, and receive encouragement from someone who understands what you’re going through.
Peer mentorship is intended to complement, and not replace, professional healthcare, clinical services, counselling or crisis support. Learn more!
Improving Spirometry Access through Advocacy
The percentage of Canadian patients who received a COPD diagnosis and had a pulmonary function test within one year before or after that diagnosis.1 For people with an asthma diagnosis, this figure is just 43%.2
SOURCES:
- Gershon AS, Hwee J, Chapman KR, Aaron SD, O’Donnell DE, Stanbrook MB, et al. Factors associated with undiagnosed and overdiagnosed COPD. Eur Respir J 2016;48(2):561-4. Epub 2016 Jun 23.
- Gershon AS, Victor JC, Guan J, Aaron SD, To T. Pulmonary function testing in the diagnosis of asthma: a population study. Chest. 2012 May;141(5):1190-1196. doi: 10.1378/chest.11-0831. Epub 2011 Oct 26. PMID: 22030804.
The majority of Canadians with a COPD diagnosis do NOT have a Spirometry test confirm their condition, even though guidelines strongly recommend it. This can expose people to the harms of mistaken diagnosis and unnecessary or incorrect treatment.
Everyone deserves an accurate diagnosis.
One of the goals of the Lung Health Foundation’s #SaySpirometry campaign is to encourage Canadians to advocate for themselves and ask for the test by name. Meanwhile, the Lung Health Foundation is advocating on federal and provincial levels to reduce barriers to access for this gold standard test.
Our Advocacy: Spirometry Across Canada
Improving Spirometry access and early detection are among the recommendations we captured in Canadian COPD Performance Index: A Provincial and Territorial variation report on COPD. This report uncovered that there is currently no publicly available data on the levels of access or wait times for Spirometry programs.
While tests and diagnosis are under provincial jurisdiction, the Lung Health Foundation is also advocating for a National Lung Health Strategy through our work with the National Lung Health Alliance. This asks the federal government to develop solutions to improve screening and care, prioritize lung health research and programs, and ensure all Canadians – especially those in federal care – can breathe easier.
Our Advocacy: Spirometry in Ontario
Through prebudget submissions and direct meetings with elected officials, the Lung Health Foundation has asked the government to:
- Improve access to spirometry and early COPD diagnosis by providing targeted capital and operational funding through Ontario Health for spirometry equipment and training
- Revise OHIP fee codes to incentivize screening and the utilization of COPD action plans
- Fund Certified Respiratory Educators in primary care; and
- Direct Ontario Health to integrate COPD case finding into the Ontario Lung Cancer Screening Program to align lung cancer screening programs with COPD diagnosis.
Would you like to meet with your Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) to advocate for better COPD care?
Our Public Affairs and Advocacy team is conducting meetings throughout 2026. Meetings can be held at Queen’s Park, virtually, or in your community. Contact advocacy@lunghealth.ca to get started.
Tips for Advocating for Yourself When You #SaySpirometry
In your healthcare journey, your voice matters.
Knowing what to ask for can make a difference when you find yourself in a clinical setting. Speak up, ask questions, and start a conversation with your healthcare provider about Spirometry. Here are some tips from our Person-Centered Care team:
- Start with what you’re feeling. Don’t feel pressured to use complicated medical terms. You can explain your breathing symptoms with phrases like:
“My chest feels tight when I exercise.”
“I’m getting out of breath doing simple things like grocery shopping.”
“Last time I had a cold, the cough lasted for weeks after I got better.”
- Be clear about your concerns. Let your healthcare provider know what’s on your mind with phrases like:
“I’m worried that this could be something serious.”
“Asthma runs in my family and I wonder if that’s why I feel this way.”
“I used to smoke, and I understand that’s a risk factor for COPD.”
- Bring notes: It can be tricky to remember all of the details of what brought you into the clinic, especially if you’re feeling flustered. Keeping notes in the lead-up to your appointment can help you think clearly and communicate confidently. On your phone, tablet or a small notebook, consider keeping a record of:
- Symptoms – what you felt, what you were doing at the time, and how long it lasted
- Medical history – what you’ve learned from talking with family members about their conditions
- When you’re ready, #SaySpirometry! Be clear and specific about your request with phrases like:
“Can you refer me to a Spirometry test so we can check my airways?”
“Spirometry is the gold-standard test for COPD. Can you set this up for me?”
“I’d like an accurate diagnosis with Spirometry testing, please.”
- Ask follow up questions: You deserve to understand your care, so it’s okay to ask follow-up questions, especially if your healthcare provider isn’t ready to make a referral for Spirometry (or perform the test in-office. If this happens, consider phrases like:
“May I ask why you’re hesitant to refer me for testing?”
“Would you consider Spirometry if my symptoms evolve?”
“What else could help us figure out what’s going on with my breathing?”
REMEMBER: You are a critical part of your care team!
Talk it through with a Certified Respiratory Educator
For 1:1 support and advice from a Certified Respiratory Educator, you can book a free appointment. This service is available across Canada — no referral required. Simply email patientsupport@lunghealth.ca or call 1-888-344-LUNG (5864) to schedule your appointment.
Acknowledgements
The #SaySpirometry campaign was strengthened through concept, language and design feedback from the Lung Health Foundation’s Lived Experience Advisory Panel (L.E.A.P. for Lungs), a volunteer working group comprised of people living with lung conditions or caring for others with lung conditions.
This information was reviewed for accuracy by a Registered Nurse/Registered Respiratory Therapist and Certified Respiratory Educator. Last reviewed September 2026.
