A spirometry test is generally considered a safe and simple test; however, it can offer increased risks to some patients. People with certain conditions should make sure their physician is aware of the condition before testing begins. These include:

• Asthma. Condition in which the airways become blocked or narrowed, causing shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. The prolonged heavy breathing that is sometimes required during a spirometry test can induce an asthma attack in individuals with severe asthma.
  
  
• Other lung diseases (e.g., COPD, cystic fibrosis). Some diseases of the lungs can cause the lungs to weaken, increasing the risk of a collapsed lung occurring during a spirometry test.
  
  
• Recent heart attack or heart disease. Impaired heart function as the result of a recent heart attack or heart disease can become exacerbated during a spirometry test.