Simple peak flow

The graph in the previous video may be complex for some patients, so instead, you can provide them with a simple table for them to write down the readings.

(Image: © The University of Edinburgh (2020) CC BY-SA 4.0)

The normal value of peak expiratory flow varies between the individual and population. Your local institute will have the normal values for your population, but because they vary from person to person (just as we are all different heights) it is better to base action plans on the patient’s ‘best’ peak flow – the reading they achieve when they are well controlled and have no symptoms.

Here are some examples of peak flow meter graphs according to age, ethnicity and gender:

• What is a normal peak flow? – a ‘nomogram’ chart can be used to estimate predicted peak flow depending on gender, age and height

• What’s normal? – this looks at the normal range, which is dependent on an individual’s gender, height, age, ethnicity and, occasionally, weight