Lung problems may cause heart symptoms, and vice versa. The following tests are used to check for problems with the lungs and heart:

  • Pulse oximetry. Pulse oximetry measures how well oxygen is being delivered throughout the body. A small clip is attached to a finger. The clip shines an infrared light through the skin and registers the amount of oxygen in the tissues. This amount is measured as a percentage. If the oxygen level is consistently below 90%, extra oxygen may be needed to prevent damage to the heart and other tissues.
  • Pulmonary function testing (PFT). Pulmonary function testing is a general term for tests that help determine how well the lungs and airways are working. These tests require you to breathe into a machine. One common test, spirometry, measures how much air you can breathe out, and how fast.
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