Asthma sufferers peak flow reading

[asfault]

The standard chart for a male my age and height 39 5"6 says I should blow 600-620

However I realistically can only get 440-450 when I know my asthma is not active.

I don't need the whole green zone yellow zone stuff as I always can tell if I'm down on capacity.

What do other people blow with their age and height?

I'm also fit and not overweight.

[sawman]

your score does sound a bit low - maybe your technique is leaky or your peak flow meter dodgy?

Having been an asthmatic for a long time, and having been struggling with control over the last 10 years, I dont know how reliable the peak flow is, with regards control.

sure if I had an infection it would drop, but even when a bit wheezy I could score around 600, just checked my log and worst score over the last few years 510 ( chest infection, just about to start antibiotics and prednisalone) best score 610

I guess its more about whats normal for you.

I am 5'10, bit overweight and in 50's - now on biologic injections for Asthma and dont bother doing peak flows - no real issues with it now which is great compared to 4-5 exacerbations (needing rescue pack) a year in the past

Edited by sawman on Tuesday 12th March 19:11

[Athlon]

Last time I had a review I was blowing mid to late 400's, she said to try harder!! ended up with a massive coughing fit. My lungs are crap and feed a knackered heart but hey, still here (for now!)
Working in a space that always seems to have diesel fumes certainly does not hlp.

[asfault]

I just wonder if effectively im as fit as i can be and blowing my maximum but its like my maximum 100% is 80% of someone without asthma.

ie i might have to be 20% fitter just to be at the same level as them.

[Pupp]

Not sure it works quite like that although I see how the logic goes. I’m no doctor but am asthmatic and have never blown great peak flow readings; I did compete reasonably effectively in various cycling disciplines when younger despite the asthma, however, which is a pretty aerobic activity. Somehow returned some decent VO2 test results as well when a decent coach was on the scene. I’d say be as fit as you can be generally and just be aware when you’re off par.

[markiii]

550 is about normal for me when feeling well

[nails1979]

I'm 5'8, 44yrs, bronchiectasis, a bit fat and smoked most of my life, can blow as low as 450 when being wheezy or as high as 600 when feeling good.
I switched from mtb to emtb a few years back and that helped my good days be more frequent quite a bit.

[Bill]

Pupp said:

Not sure it works quite like that although I see how the logic goes. I’m no doctor but am asthmatic and have never blown great peak flow readings; I did compete reasonably effectively in various cycling disciplines when younger despite the asthma, however, which is a pretty aerobic activity. Somehow returned some decent VO2 test results as well when a decent coach was on the scene. I’d say be as fit as you can be generally and just be aware when you’re off par.

Peak flow measures airway restriction and isn't related to fitness AIUI. The only really useful comparison is to your previous tests so you know how well you're doing compared to normal for you.

[thepeoplespal]

I used to be wheeled out to the smokers and drug addicts by my GP boss many years ago, to try to encourage them to quit the fags and stop chasing the dragon - PEF 850 was normal for me and the 650 of an elderly GP was astounding to some.

The FEV1 spirimetry machine was a lot more accurate and was better at working out the reversibility of Asthma before and after Ventolin. A cheap hand held can be got for £100 or so.

So many people have shockingly bad inhaler technique and that can be a killer if you panic when the inhaler doesn't work.

[Bradgate]

I’m in my mid 50’s, 6 ft tall, of medium to large build & not particularly fit. My asthma is well controlled with a dual preventer inhaler. On a normal day my peak flow reading is 680 - 700, but when my asthma is flaring up at the height of the allergy season, or when I have a respiratory virus I’m struggling to get much above 500.

[DrEMa]

I'm 5.10 and 45. Normally pretty much off the scale. If im struggling I'll be down at the 600-650 which can make it difficult to explain to a doc or nurse that doesn't know me. My asthma is pretty mild though, not had a serious attack since I was 13 and was pretty much off inhalers for 6 months in 2020 til I got COVID.

[stackmonkey]

5' 11" and 54 here.
Chart for me says I should blow about 620.
I can't ever remember blowing above 535.
1st bout of Covid permanently dropped me to about 440, then the 2nd one to about 400.
Chest infection and flu combined earlier this year put me down below 300 before the meds kicked in.

[the_stoat]

45 and 5ft9, I think the only big thing about me are my lungs as I usually blow around 820 or just off the scale. When a wheezing mess in the hayfever season this drops significantly.

[asfault]

Hmmm, seems i have small lungs. Asthma as a kid had me hospitalised once and on nebulisers many times. docs said id be on inhalers all my life two blue two brown every morning and night. never done it and only take as i need.
problem is i honestly cant remember what i used to blow as a kid/teen and from my 25s to early 30s my eczema was so bad asthma was the least of my problems... (yes my body is fked)
i do remember as a kid at one point my peak flow being 75 or so and that resulted in a hospital trip.