Your asthma review

An asthma review is a routine check-up with your GP, nurse or other healthcare professional to see how your asthma is.

Most people go for an asthma review at least once a year. If you have difficult or severe asthma you may need to go for an asthma review more than once a year.

At an asthma review your GP or nurse can check your lungs with a peak flow or spirometry test.

You can talk about:

• your symptoms, and if they’re stopping you from doing everyday things or keeping you awake at night. Your GP or nurse may ask you how your asthma has been using a set of questions.
• ways to manage your asthma better so you can lower your risk of an asthma attack
• your medicines and inhalers, and how often you use them
• your inhaler technique and how to use a spacer if you use a metered dose inhaler (MDI)
• stopping smoking, exercise, or keeping to a healthy weight which can all help your asthma
• your asthma action plan and if it needs to be updated.

An asthma review helps you manage your asthma in the best way possible. It could help lower your risk of an asthma attack.

It’s worth having an asthma review even if you feel well. You can check you’re on the lowest dose of asthma medicine to keep you free of symptoms.

If you have not had symptoms for some time, you can ask your GP or nurse about lowering the dose of your preventer medicine. 

Remote asthma reviews

You may be offered an asthma review over the phone or online via video.

Asthma reviews done remotely are considered safe. They can be a more convenient way for you to make sure you’re getting your asthma review once a year. 

“Most parts of an asthma review can be done remotely including getting your asthma action plan updated. If you are struggling with your inhaler technique or staying on top of symptoms, ask for a face to face appointment.’

Dr Andy Whittamore, Asthma + Lung UK’s GP

1. Write down any questions you want to ask before your appointment, so you don’t forget. And don’t be afraid to ask your GP or nurse to repeat anything you don’t understand. It’s important that you understand what medicines you take and why.
2. Keep a symptom diary and take this along to your appointment so you can show the GP or nurse how your asthma has been over time.
3. Take along your inhalers and your spacer if you use one, so you can check your inhaler technique.
4. Ask your GP or nurse to send you your updated asthma action plan by email if you want a digital copy to keep on your phone or tablet.
5. Ask if there’s a text or email reminder service so you don’t miss out on your next annual review.

You don’t have to wait for your annual review to get help and support for your asthma.

After an asthma attack

• If you had an asthma attack at home, contact your GP or nurse as soon as possible after your attack, ideally the same day.
• If you were in hospital for an asthma attack, speak to your GP or nurse within two days after being discharged.

Find out more about what to do after your asthma attack.

When symptoms are worse

See your GP or nurse if:

• you’re using your blue reliever inhaler three times a week or more
• you’re regularly using extra doses of your MART inhaler most days
• you’re using your AIR inhaler most days.

Find out more about symptoms getting worse.

For support with your asthma medicines

See your GP, nurse or pharmacist for advice about:

• changing medicines. If you start any new medicines, you can ask your GP, nurse or pharmacist to check on how you’re getting on with them 6-8 weeks after you started them
• managing hay fever. Ask about antihistamines and nasal sprays so you’re ready when your hay fever season starts
• how to take your inhaler. They can check your inhaler technique. 

You may be able to access your GP health record via the NHS app or website.

It lets you see all the care you’ve had at your GP surgery, including vaccines, test results, and letters from specialists.

Find out more about how you can view your health records.