Measures of Health
Peak Flow (this would be appropriate to use on your person if they are asthmatic, have a
breathing problem, are heavy smokers or any other chest or lung complaints)
Ref: Textbook P.150
Peak flow is a measure of how fast a person can blow air out of their lungs. It can be measured
with a peak flow meter. When a person blows into a peak flow meter it measures the speed of
air passing through the meter. This is recording the maximum rate at which air is expelled from
the lungs. This is called 'forced vital capacity'. The measurement is used to assess the width of
the air passages (bronchi) and monitors the degree of 'bronchospasm' (narrowing of the air
passages) in people who suffer from asthma.
A person with asthma has narrowed airways because the linings of the airways are swollen or
because mucus is in the airways, or because the tubes are constricted by, the muscles
surrounding the airways. All these factors reduce the amount of air that can flow through the
airways. This means that asthma sufferers will have a low peak flow reading, and the more
severe the asthma, the lower the reading. Asthma sufferers will have a peak flow reading of
200-400 Litres/minute, compared with a normal value of 400-600 Litres/minute (the 'norm').
Ref: Thomson and Aslangul P.256 has graphs dealing with an asthmatic person.
Ref: Haworth, Forshaw and Moonie P.151 has a graph showing 'norms'.
A peak flow meter can also be used to find out if a person who has difficulty breathing has a
problem with their lungs. Their score on the meter can then be compared with a chart which
shows expected scores ('norms'). Readings are usually higher in men than women, and the taller
a person is the higher their peak flow will be. Readings will also be lower if a person is suffering
with a lung disease such as bronchitis or asthma. Other conditions that can cause shortness of
breath include blood clots, lung cancer, heart failure, cystic fibrosis, emphysema and bronchitis.
e.g . . . . . . . . . .
Peak Flow Reading
------------- is 25 years old
She is 5feet 3 inches tall
The 'norm' taken from the graph is 470
Her reading in Litres/minute is 300
This allows for a deviation of 42 Litres/minute in women
***** ask for a graph to put in. On this you can plot the reading of your person ******
-------------'s peak flow reading is lower than the 'norm', even allowing for the deviance for
women of 42 Litres/minute and for men of 48 Litres/minute.
This is probably due to the fact that -------- is an asthmatic/heavy smoker. This could mean
that he/she will become breathless more easily and it may affect his/her energy, strength and
stamina. This could then prevent him/her taking part in exercise or joining family and friends in
hobbies or activities, which require physical exertion. This will affect --------- emotionally and
socially. He/she could become anxious and depressed and socially isolated. Lack of exercise
could lead to poor circulation, weight gain and difficulty with mobility due to muscle and joint
problems. --------- may be more likely to suffer from chest infections and colds and then have
days off work, which will prevent contact with work colleagues. Time off work could lead to
boredom, put a strain on family relationships and affect -------- intellectually.
The health plan for-------- must try to look at ways to encourage him/her to stop smoking
/exercise more /lose weight etc.
Below is an example of the Peak Flow graph to ask for and add to your work.
Ref: Haworth, Forshaw and Moonie (2002) P.151