What is an Asthma Action Plan?

An Asthma Action Plan is your plan to handle an asthma episode. This plan will help you treat and recover from an asthma episode. It is based on your “peak flow numbers.”

What is my Peak Flow number?

Peak flow numbers measure how well you are breathing at any given time. Your doctor will perform some tests on your ability to breathe. Based on the results, you will be told what your “personal best” is – this is your best ability to breathe under the best conditions. You personal best is important because it provides a gauge to know if you are healthy, having a minor asthma episode, or having a severe asthma episode.

Your healthcare provider, together with you and your caregivers, will develop an Asthma Action Plan for you based on your personal best peak flow. The Asthma Action Plan is separated into zones. For instance, if you are in the Green Zone, you are healthy and your action plan may include taking your daily medications only. If you are in the Red Zone then you are experiencing a severe asthma episode. Your action plan may be to call 911 immediately. Your plan will be unique to you and may be adjusted by your doctor based on your past experience, personal resources, and general health.

The downloadable PDF below provides a worksheet of the zones in the Asthma Action Plan. Use this to develop your personal Asthma Action Plan with your doctor and caregivers.

Download PDF Version

Revised: 1/2015