Lung age?

[bronchobob]

My spirometry results, although a bit low, fit in the normal range, however my lung age is 15 years older. What causes this?

I was a smoker, 30 plus years, I quit three years ago. I also had pulmonary emboli in both lungs in 2012 and was lucky to live apparently. No doubt there is damage in my lungs from the smoking and from the emboli, but what raises the lung age? My respiratory nurse said she is convinced I do not have COPD but that any reduction in performance is down to the smoking and a nasal drip condition which is being treated. She says when my lungs settle down (quit smoking long enough) they will deteriorate at the normal rate. Well, that's something to look forward to!

Thanks in advance, in some ways I am very lucky, for the moment at least.

[sassy59]

When Pete last had a spirometry his lung age was 114! He actually laughed. It’s because he smoked but gave up in 1991. He has lung scarring so that doesn’t help. He’s still here though. Xxx

[bronchobob in reply to sassy59]

Well, I'm glad to hear it. We're all still here then.

[sassy59 in reply to bronchobob]

👍🤗xxx

[ck101]

Lung age is meaningless, it was invented by the medical community as a means to get people to quit smoking. It is based on the FEV1 ( referenced for your age and height) only and takes nothing else into consideration.

[2greys in reply to ck101]

I agree, my lung age at 71 years is 160 years. It really is a nonsense, nobody lives until 160 years old let alone measure the state of their lungs.

[YogaTwo in reply to 2greys]

Thank you for this post! I have pulmonary sarcoidosis and after my last PFT I noticed my report said my lungs were 71 years old. I'm 43 so I have been very concerned. But here you are with your 160 year old lungs still posting on the internet. haha❤️

[2greys in reply to YogaTwo]

I can still do a lot more more than just post on the Internet. I live up 3 flights of stairs, I do not drive so do a lot of walking. This week had a washer/dryer delivered and left at my front door, I moved it to the kitchen and installed it all on my own. I'm afraid the knackers yard will have to wait a long time yet for my appearance there.

[bronchobob in reply to 2greys]

No 2greys pie for a while then. 😉

[2greys in reply to bronchobob]

Apparently African Greys are not good eating and an extremely tough meat, not that I have tried.

[ninelives in reply to 2greys]

You could be the first and make medical history.....!

[2greys in reply to ninelives]

Ye gods, spend another 90 years of being breathless!

[bronchobob in reply to ck101]

A bit like BMI then. I am wide framed, so I am obese even though there is not much fat on me at all. 🍺🍻🌭🍕🌮🌯😋

[Troilus]

I’d never heard of lung age until I read this. I think I’ll look mine up😄

[bronchobob in reply to Troilus]

You could be 495! 😄

[Caspiana]

Hi Bob, I am guessing the smoking caused your lungs to age prematurely. Fifteen years is not too bad. I would just stay away from the ciggies and keep as fit as possible. At my first test my lung age was 95. I think I was forty at the time. 😅 So don't feel too sad about it. Take care. 😃👋

[bronchobob]

I guess it is lung scarring. But hey, I can still cycle (not steep hills) and I'll take that. 👍 You don't look 95 at all Caspiana. Live well and prosper. 🖖😁

[Superzob]

I seem to be catching up with my lung age (90) as it hasn’t changed in 6 years. Perhaps the idea is to encourage you to keep going until both your lung age and your real one coincide. Look forward to meeting 2greys when he’s 160!

[2greys in reply to Superzob]

They will have to lay the spirometry booth down horizontally and stretcher me into it by then

[Noragriffin]

I was pleased to read all comments I am 74 and my lung age is 90. I was starting to believe that I am 90. Now I feel young again. Thanks all for information.

[Timberman]

My lung age is given as 95 years; I am 78 this month.

[snow54flake]

Hi I will be 67 in Dec and my lung age is 90 years.

[bronchobob in reply to snow54flake]

You are beating me! I am going to have to catch up. 🙃

[snow54flake]

😃😃😃

[Ergendl]

My last lung age was 63 - when I was 65. Well chuffed.