Spirometry is a simple, painless test that measures your lung function. The interventional cardiologists at Advanced Heart & Vascular Specialists in Las Vegas also use spirometry to help monitor for early signs of developing or worsening heart failure and other serious heart conditions. For expert cardiology care in a warm and welcoming environment, schedule an appointment today. Call the office or book your visit online.
Spirometry is a simple in-office test that’s used to check how well your lungs are functioning by measuring how much and how quickly you can move air in and out of your lungs.
Every part of your body needs oxygenated blood to survive. The air you inhale is transferred to your blood in tiny sacs within the lungs called alveoli. This oxygen-rich blood is then carried to the heart which pumps it out to the rest of your body.
Lung conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) make it hard to breathe and reduce the quantity of air you’re able to take in. This can affect your heart health. Many heart conditions also cause complications that interfere with normal lung function.
Heart problems that may affect your breathing include:
Your cardiologist uses spirometry to help gauge the effects your heart is having on your lung health and/or to determine whether your lung function is affecting your heart health.
During a spirometry test, you breathe into a mouthpiece that’s connected to a machine called a spirometer. For portions of the test, you breathe in and out normally. During other phases of the test, you’re asked to inhale until you feel you’ve filled your lungs to capacity and then to forcefully exhale, emptying your lungs as rapidly as possible.
The spirometer records the readings and your doctor reviews the results. A spirometry is a painless diagnostic tool that can provide valuable information about your lung function and how that relates to your heart health.
For cardiac care you can trust, schedule a visit at Advanced Heart & Vascular Specialists today. Call the office or book your visit online.