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Offered by Dr. Manish Aggarwal, Principal Director, Department of Chest Disease & Interventional Pulmonology, Max Hospital, with 24+ years of experience in respiratory diagnostics and care.
Spirometry is a simple, non-invasive breathing test that measures how much air you can breathe in and out, and how quickly you can do it. You breathe into a small device called a spirometer, which records key measurements such as forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1).
These numbers help the doctor understand whether your airways are narrowed, whether your lungs are working at their expected capacity, and how your breathing compares to what is normal for your age, height, and sex.
• 24+ years of clinical experience diagnosing and managing respiratory conditions.
• Credentials: MBBS, MD (Tuberculosis & Chest Diseases), FRCP (Glasgow), trained at premier Indian institutes.
• Current Role: Principal Director, Department of Chest Disease & Interventional Pulmonology, Max Hospital, also practicing at his private clinic in Pitampura, Delhi.
• Expert Interpretation: Spirometry results are interpreted directly by an experienced pulmonologist, not just handed over as a printout, so findings are explained in the context of your symptoms and history.
• Efficiency: Same-day spirometry testing available, with results discussed in the same visit wherever possible.
• International Exposure: Clinical work across leading NHS hospitals in the UK, including Lister Hospital (Stevenage), Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (King's Lynn), The Great Western Hospital (Swindon), and Diana Princess of Wales Hospital (Grimsby).
• Professional Memberships: Active member of respected global and national bodies, including the European Respiratory Society (ERS), American College of Physicians (ACP), Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM, USA), European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM), and Indian Chest Society.
• Patient-First Mindset: Rated 4.9 on Google with 350+ verified patient reviews, known for a patient-first, clearly-explained approach to care.
Diagnose asthma, COPD, and other obstructive airway conditions
Assess the severity of a known lung condition and track it over time
Investigate unexplained breathlessness or a persistent cough
Check lung function before certain surgeries or in patients with occupational lung exposure
Monitor how well a treatment plan is working, such as inhaler therapy
Screen long-term smokers or individuals with a family history of lung disease
Evaluate lung function as part of a broader workup for chest symptoms
Detecting the pattern of airway narrowing that reverses with treatment.
Particularly in long-term smokers or those with significant exposure history.
Assessing the degree of airflow limitation.
Related to dust, chemical, or fume exposure at work.
Such as certain patterns seen in interstitial lung disease, which spirometry can help flag for further testing.
An early step in identifying whether the airways or lung volume are contributing.
Evaluating fitness for surgery in patients with existing respiratory concerns.
If you've been experiencing breathlessness, wheeze, or a cough that will not go away, spirometry is often the first and most useful test to understand what is happening in your lungs.
Noticing breathlessness during everyday tasks?
Measures airflow and lung volumes during forced breathing, and is usually the first test used to screen for airway disease.
A broader term that can include spirometry along with additional measurements like lung volumes and gas transfer (DLCO), giving a more complete picture.
Look directly at the structure of the airways and lungs, and are typically used when spirometry or symptoms point toward a need for further, more detailed evaluation.
*Dr. Aggarwal will advise if additional testing is needed based on your spirometry results and clinical picture.
• Avoid heavy meals and vigorous exercise for at least an hour before the test.
• If you use an inhaler, ask the clinic in advance whether you should hold off on using it before the test, as this can affect results.
• Avoid smoking for at least an hour, and ideally longer, before your appointment.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing that does not restrict your chest or abdomen.
• Let the technician know if you have had recent chest pain, a heart attack, eye surgery, or abdominal surgery, as these may affect how the test is performed.
Setting Up: A clip is placed on your nose to ensure all your breath goes through the mouthpiece, and you are shown exactly how to perform the breathing maneuver correctly.
Blowing Maneuver: You take a deep breath in, seal your lips around the mouthpiece, and then blow out as hard and fast as you can until your lungs feel completely empty. This is usually repeated three or more times to ensure consistent, reliable readings.
Bronchodilator Check: In some cases, the test is repeated after using a bronchodilator inhaler to see whether your airflow improves, which helps distinguish asthma from other conditions. The entire test typically takes 15 to 20 minutes, and results are available almost immediately.
There is no recovery time needed. Most people resume their normal activities immediately after the test. Some people feel briefly lightheaded or tired from the repeated forceful breathing, which settles quickly with a short rest. Dr. Aggarwal reviews your results alongside symptoms and history to outline next steps.
Spirometry is a very safe, non-invasive test, but it involves forceful breathing, so it is used with caution or postponed in certain situations including: recent heart attack, unstable chest pain, recent eye/chest/abdominal surgery, collapsed lung (pneumothorax), active coughing up of blood, or severe breathlessness at rest.
Reach out to our professional care desk immediately if, after your test, you notice persistent dizziness or chest discomfort that does not settle with light rest, new or worsening breathlessness, or any other distinct clinical symptoms that concern you following the diagnostic intervention.
No. It only requires you to breathe forcefully into a mouthpiece. There is no needle, no sedation, and no discomfort involved, though some people feel briefly tired afterward.
The test itself usually takes 15 to 20 minutes, including a few practice attempts to ensure accurate, repeatable results.
Spirometry, especially when repeated after a bronchodilator inhaler, can strongly support a diagnosis of asthma by showing whether airflow improves significantly with treatment.
This depends on what the test is being used to assess. The clinic will advise you in advance whether to continue or temporarily hold your inhaler before your appointment.
This depends on your condition. Patients with stable, well-controlled asthma or COPD may need it once a year, while those with new symptoms or changing treatment may need it more frequently, as advised by Dr. Aggarwal.
We are available to answer queries, schedule urgent EBUS sessions or arrange Sleep diagnostic devices.
A simple spirometry test can reveal a lot. Get tested and get clear answers from Dr. Manish Aggarwal, Delhi's leading pulmonologist with 24+ years of respiratory care experience.
📍 Clinic Address: JU-12A, Block G&JU, Ranikhet, Pitampura, Delhi, 110034
📞 Call Desk: +91 9899554095 | ✉️ Email: Aggarmanish@gmail.com