What are pulmonary function tests?

Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are a group of non-invasive tests that measure how well your lungs are working. They assess lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange to help diagnose and monitor lung conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other respiratory disorders. PFTs are commonly used to evaluate symptoms like shortness of breath, to check lung function before surgery, or to assess the effectiveness of ongoing treatment. The tests are usually performed by a respiratory therapist or pulmonary function technician in a hospital or clinic setting.