Discharge Instructions: Pursed-Lip Breathing
Pursed-lip breathing can help you get more oxygen into your lungs and prevent shortness of breath. When you start to feel short of breath, use pursed-lip breathing to control your breathing.
Home Care
Use pursed-lip breathing to prevent shortness of breath when you do things such as
exercising, climbing stairs, and bending or lifting.
Breathe out during the difficult part of any activity, such as when you bend, lift, or reach.
Always breathe out for longer than you breathe in. This allows your lungs to empty as much as possible.
Never hold your breath when doing pursed-lip breathing.
Practice these steps every day so that you’ll know how to do pursed-lip breathing when you have shortness of breath.
Relax the muscles in your neck and shoulders.
Breathe in slowly through your nose for 2 counts.
Pucker your lips as if you were going to blow out a candle.
Breathe out slowly and gently through your lips for 4 or more counts.
Repeat the above steps as necessary.
Follow-Up
Make a follow-up appointment as directed by our staff.
When to Call Your Doctor
Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following:
Shortness of breath, wheezing, or coughing
Increased mucus; yellow, green, or bloody mucus
Fever above 101.0°F (38.3°C) or chills
Tightness in your chest that does not go away
with rest or medication
An irregular heartbeat
Swollen ankles