peak flow rates - Asthma Message Board

momtobaby1 · 08-24-2008, 12:41 PM

Can anyone help me with figuring this out? I'm confused on peak flow rates. I have a peak flow meter that I'm supposed to use every day to assess things. My personal best is 480 but the best I'm ever able to get is 410. Last night it was 390. It's gone as low as 350 occasionally. That's without experiencing any significant symptoms. At 350 I might feel a bit out of breath but nothing major. I don't really understand the whole personal best thing. Am I supposed to be able to get 480 if treatment is going well? Or is that just a maximum? I always blow in the yellow range. My ranges are:

Green: 480 and above
Yellow: between 240 and 480
Red: 240 and below

Does that even sound right? My yellow zone seems awfully large.

Thanks!

Titchou · 08-24-2008, 03:23 PM

Who says these are your zones? If your personal best is 480, why on earth does your green zone start there? And how old are you, how tall, how much do you weigh?

Capttom48 · 08-24-2008, 06:45 PM

I was told that if you are 80-100% then you are in the green zone.
50-80% is yellow zone
under 50% is considered red zone

Titchou · 08-24-2008, 07:33 PM

Sorry, I still don't get what you are saying. Who told you and on what basis? If your all time best is 480, there is NO WAY YOUR green zone is higher than that. Seriously, you need to more information or clarification from your pulmonologist.

momtobaby1 · 08-24-2008, 09:46 PM

sorry was only looking for information. Titchu, you sound upset or something and I'm not sure what I said to cause that. Sorry!

I'm 24 years old, am female, small build, 5'3" and 105 lbs. My doctor didn't tell me what my zones were when she gave me the peak flow meter. A booklet came with it and it said in there how to set your zones and numbers. It said according to my age, and everything my personal best should be 480. Which is also the number my doctor does use as a guideline. That was the only number I knew starting out.

I'm just trying to figure out my numbers, that's all, just thought someone here could help clarify for me.