This extra ERV air is a part of your totallung vital capacity.
It is one of the metrics measured during lung volume testing throughspirometry, a pop in ofpulmonary function test.
Typically, these tests are used to evaluate lung function in diagnosing or reassessing lung disease such asasthma.
Jonathan Ernst / Stringer / Getty Images
This article explains how ERV and other pulmonary function metrics are measured and what they can mean.
What Is an Average ERV Result?
The average ERV volume is about 1200 milliliters (mL) in males and 700 mL in females.
The FRC is used to evaluate the elasticity of the lungs and chest wall.
Variousratiosare calculated with these values.
Or, if that ratio is very low, it could mean asthma-related resistance.
It’s a noninvasive procedure so you don’t need a lot to prepare.
But you should:
For the actual test, you will sit in a chair.
A nose clip will ensure that you breathe only through your mouth.
There’s a very small risk of an asthma attack for those who have asthma.
This will, in turn, help to inform an effective treatment plan.
2022 Feb 17;12(2):306. doi:10.3390/life12020306
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