Portable Peak Flow Meter for Asthma Monitoring

A portable peak flow meter is a handheld device used to measure how well air moves out of your lungs. It is commonly used by individuals with asthma to monitor their lung function.

Portable Peak Flow Meter FAQ

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What is a peak flow meter?

Download a peak flow diary (PDF only, 1.06MB) from the Asthma + Lung UK website Your peak flow score – also known as your peak expiratory flow (PEF) – will be displayed on the side of your peak flow meter. This is given in litres of air breathed out per minute (l/min). What's considered a normal score depends on your age, height and sex.

What is a peak flow test?

Peak flow is a simple measurement of how quickly you can blow air out of your lungs. It's often used to help diagnose and monitor asthma. A peak flow test involves blowing as hard as you can into a small handheld device called a peak flow meter. These are available on prescription or can be bought from most pharmacies.

What is a peak expiratory flow meter?

This measurement is the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) or the peak expiratory flow (PEF). For people with asthma, a peak flow meter can detect changes in airways that could indicate the risk of an asthma attack even before individuals might notice symptoms.

What is a peak flow score?

Peak flow is a measure of how quickly you can blow air out of your lungs. If you have asthma, you may sometimes have narrow airways. This will make it more difficult to blow the air out of your lungs quickly and can change your peak flow score.

How often should I use a peak flow meter?

Your doctor may recommend using a peak flow meter daily or several times a day, as part of a personalized asthma action plan for managing symptoms. Peak flow meters have a mouthpiece you forcefully blow into with one powerful breath. The meter measures the force you expel air in liters per minute (L/m).