PFT

Did you ever wondered what all the numbers on your PFT mean? Here's an explanation with one of my PFTS

FVCEx - The forced expiratory vital capacity is the maximum amount of air that can be exhaled with pressure.

SVC - With slow exhalation or inhalation, a vital capacity (SVC) can be measured that is less dependent on bronchial resistance and usually results in slightly higher measured values than the FVC.

FEV1 / FVC - The amount of air exhaled in the first second is called FEV1. The doctor also measures the total amount of air the patient exhales. The abbreviation for this amount of air is FVC. The doctor relates the first value to the second value. The result is a percentage value. This value is called FEV1/FVC for short.  

PEF - This is the strength of the respiratory flow at a certain inhaled or exhaled volume. An example is peak expiratory flow (PEF). This is the maximum flow rate that can be achieved with forced exhalation.

MEF75 - This value indicates how fast the air flows out of the lungs at a certain point in time. The MEF75 value is measured when a quarter (MEF50 - half, MEF25, three quarters) of the air to be exhaled has already left the lungs. With the MEF75 value, the doctor can estimate whether the airways are narrowed.

IVC - IVC is the abbreviation for inspiratory vital capacity. The inspiratory vital capacity is the maximum amount of air that can be inhaled.

FEV1/VC - Relative one-second capacity (also called Tiffeneau index or FEV1/VC value) is a relative value and is expressed as a percentage of vital capacity. The target value should be higher than 75 percent of the vital capacity.

ERV - The abbreviation ERV stands for the expiratory reserve volume. The expiratory reserve volume is the amount of air that can be expelled after normal exhalation.

IC- The abbreviation IC stands for inspiratory capacity. The inspiratory capacity is the maximum amount of air that can be inhaled after normal exhalation.

A few questions and answers

For us the most important value is the FEV1 value. This indicates how flexible our lungs are. A low FEV value (compared to the last test) can be a sign of infection.

Of course, 100% would be desirable, but very few of us do. Everyone has a level that has to be kept as long as possible.

In fact it is and usually occurs with professional endurance athletes or apnea divers.

Part of it will depend on your infection level. However, your FEV1 can be positively influenced by a lot of therapy, endurance sports and a healthy lifestyle.

If you always have a very high FEV1 on average anyway, that can be good. If not, then unfortunately I have to say that this will probably not be possible. I've had around 50% FEV1 for years and won't be able to reach full power anymore. With a lung transplant it looks different again. Nevertheless, a deeper FEV1 does not necessarily mean that we are in a bad state or that our endurance is on the ground. The body gets used to the new situation relatively quickly. But try to keep your level as long as possible.