How to Use a Peak Flow Meter
Be sure to measure your peak flow
(all three tests) in the morning and
evening. Generally, peak flow is lowest
in the morning and highest between
noon and 5:00 PM. Try to measure
your peak flow at the same time every
day for best results. Remember to
take your completed Asthma Diary
worksheets to your regular doctor/
clinician visits to help your provider
assess your condition.
1
3
SLIDE MARKER TO ZERO
STEP 1: Slide the marker down as far
as it will go to set it to zero.
2
Keeping Track of Your
Personal Best Peak Flow
Periodically, and when you change
your peak flow meter, you will need
to track your personal best peak flow
number to help you and your doctor/
clinician monitor your ongoing asthma
health. Your personal best peak flow
number is the highest number you
measure doing peak flow meter tests
twice a day for 2 weeks when your
asthma is under control. Good control
is when you feel good and do not have
any asthma symptoms. Children will
need to reestablish their personal best
peak flow number every 6 months as
their lungs continue to grow.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH
STEP 2: Stand up. Holding the peak
flow meter near your mouth, take as
deep a breath as possible.
BLOW OUT ONCE
STEP 3: Place the meter into your
mouth and close your lips
around it to form a seal. Keep your
tongue away from the hole and be sure
to keep your fingers away from the
markings. Blow out once as hard and
fast as you can.
4
WRITE THE NUMBER DOWN
STEP 4: Don’t touch the marker. Write
down the number where the marker
landed on the scale. If you cough or
make a mistake, do not write down the
number. Just do the test over again.
STEP 5: Repeat steps 1 to 4 two more
times for a total of three measures. Make
sure to reset the marker to zero at the
beginning of each test. Write down the
number for each test on the Asthma Diary
worksheet included in the pocket at the
back of this guide. Your peak flow is the
highest of the three numbers.
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