PFT Test (Lung Function Test) in Panchkula

The test that measures how well your lungs work

An X-ray shows what your lungs look like. A PFT, or pulmonary function test, shows how well they actually work: how much air you can hold, how fast you can blow it out, and whether the airways are narrowed.

For problems like asthma and COPD, the X-ray is often completely normal. The PFT is what gives the answer. That is why a chest specialist will so often ask for one at the first or second visit.

PFT and spirometry are done at Paras Health, Panchkula, not at the Sector 20 clinic. Dr. Bedi first sees you at the clinic, decides which breathing tests you need, and the test is scheduled at Paras Health. You then come back with the report so he can go through it with you.

When a PFT is usually advised

• A cough lasting more than three weeks
• Breathlessness on walking or climbing stairs
• Wheezing or chest tightness
• To confirm or rule out asthma
• Smokers or ex-smokers over 40, to check for COPD early
• To check how well asthma or COPD treatment is working
• Before some surgeries, to check if the lungs can handle anaesthesia
• People with ILD, to track the disease over time
• Workers exposed to dust, fumes or chemicals

What happens during the test

The most common PFT is spirometry. Here is what it involves, step by step:

1. You sit upright in a chair. A soft clip is placed on your nose so air doesn't escape.
2. You put your lips tightly around a clean, disposable mouthpiece.
3. You take the deepest breath you can, then blow out as hard and fast as possible, and keep blowing until you are completely empty. This takes about six seconds, though it feels longer.
4. This is repeated at least three times so the machine gets consistent readings.
5. In many cases you are then given a few puffs of a reliever inhaler, wait 15 to 20 minutes, and repeat the test. This is called a bronchodilator reversibility test, and it is the part that helps confirm asthma.

The whole thing usually takes 20 to 40 minutes. It isn't painful. Some people feel a little lightheaded or cough after blowing hard; this passes in a minute.

The technician will push you to blow harder than feels natural. That's on purpose. The result is only as good as the effort, so it's worth giving it everything for those few seconds.

How to prepare

A little preparation makes the result far more reliable.

• Inhalers: You may be asked to stop your reliever inhaler for 4 to 6 hours and some long-acting inhalers for 24 hours or more before the test. Ask when you book. Don't stop anything without being told to, and if you get breathless, use your inhaler and tell the technician.
• Smoking: Avoid smoking for at least one hour before, ideally longer.
• Food: Have a light meal. A heavy meal pushes on the diaphragm and lowers your numbers.
• Clothes: Wear something loose that doesn't restrict your chest or belly.
• Exercise: Avoid heavy exercise for 30 minutes before.
• Alcohol: None for at least four hours.

Tell us if you have had a recent heart attack, eye surgery, chest or abdominal surgery, a collapsed lung, or coughing up of blood. Spirometry may need to wait in those cases.

Understanding the key numbers

You will see a lot of abbreviations on the report. The three that matter most:

• FVC (forced vital capacity): the total amount of air you can blow out after a full breath.
• FEV1: how much of that air comes out in the first second.
• FEV1/FVC ratio: the share of air you can blow out in the first second. A low ratio suggests the airways are narrowed, as in asthma or COPD.

Your numbers are compared with what is expected for someone of your age, height, sex and ethnicity, so they're shown as a percentage of "predicted".

Roughly speaking:

• Obstructive pattern (low ratio): asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis
• Restrictive pattern (low FVC, normal or high ratio): may suggest ILD, chest wall problems, obesity, or weakness of breathing muscles; further tests are needed
• Improvement after inhaler: points towards asthma

A report on paper doesn't mean much without the clinical picture, so Dr. Bedi goes through the result with you and explains what it means for treatment.

Other lung function tests

Depending on the case, additional tests may be suggested: lung volume measurement, DLCO (how well oxygen passes from the lungs into the blood, important in ILD), or a six-minute walk test to see how oxygen levels hold up on exertion. These are not needed for everyone.

Cost of a PFT test

The cost depends on which tests are done, and charges are as per Paras Health. Basic spirometry with a reversibility test is the most common and the least expensive. Call +91-99280 14284 for current charges.

Clinic timings and contact

If a doctor has advised a PFT, or you think you need one because of a long cough or breathlessness, you can book a consultation with Dr. Manan Bedi at Booth 194, Sector 20, Panchkula. The test itself is done at Paras Health, Panchkula. Patients come from Chandigarh, Mohali and Zirakpur. Timings are Monday to Saturday 5–7 PM and Sunday 11 AM–2 PM. Book here.