chronic cough
deep vein thrombosis
interstitial lung disease
endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)   

pulmonary function testing 
pulmonary hypertension
shortness of breath
sleep apnea
sleep studies
smoking cessation


For appointments call


low dose cat scan
lung cancer   
overnight pulse oximetry
pleural effusions
provocholine testing
pulmonary embolism
pulmonary fibrosis (ILD)


Making your health our  top priorty

This test is noninvasive, but you are required to put in your best effort.  You will be tested by a licensed Pulmonary Lab Technician, who will explain each part of the test to you, and assure that the results represent your best effort.  You may or may not also receive a breathing treatment during this test, to see if you respond to a medicine called a bronchodilator.  The medicine may give you the ability to exhale more air out, with more force.

​​In order to prepare yourself to do your best on this test, we ask that if you currently use home breathing treatments or personal inhalers, do not use them for at least 8 hours prior to your visit.  We also ask that you avoid smoking, chocolate, coffee, tea, and colas or other caffeinated beverages for at least 8 hours as well.  Please take all other medications as prescribed.

P U L M O N A R Y   F U N C T I O N    T E S T I N G    (P F T)

  • A general overview of pulmonary lung function testing, what to expect, and how to prepare, by MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. 

  • ​A detailed overview of PFTs and what to expect on your visit, by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.  

​The test measures several things:

1. the amount of air you take into your lungs

2. how quickly you can blow it out (spirometry)

3. how much air is left in your lungs after you

exhale (lung volumes)

4. how much oxygen is transported from your lungs to your blood (lung diffusion)

Courtesy of the University of Minnesota Medical Center

A PFT is a test used by our pulmonologists to determine your lung capacity: how effectively your lungs take in and release air, and how efficiently they move gases such as oxygen from the atmosphere to the circulation of your body.

M O R E   I N F O R M A T I O N   O N   


We wish you good luck with your test!  
If you have any other questions, feel free to call our office at 203.759.3666

You may be asked to repeat some of the tests on subsequent visits as part of your treatment plan.