• Explore UNC HealthUNC Sites
    • My UNC ChartMy Chart
    • UNC CareLinkCare Link
Alert

Asthma Action Plan: Green Zone

Topic Overview

An asthma action plan is based on zones defined by your symptoms, your peak flow, or both. It tells you what to do if you or your child has a sudden increase in asthma symptoms (asthma attack).

The green zone of the asthma action plan is where a person with asthma wants to be every day. When in the green zone:

  • The person does not have any symptoms of an asthma attack.
  • The person is able to do his or her usual activities and can sleep without having symptoms.
  • The peak expiratory flow is 80% to 100% of the person's personal best peak flow measurement. To find 80% of your personal best, multiply your personal best measurement by 0.80. For example, if your personal best flow is 400, then 80% of that is 400 times 0.80, which is 320.

If you or your child continues to stay in the green zone for several weeks, your doctor may reduce the amount of daily asthma medicine.

Health Tools

Health Tools help you make wise health decisions or take action to improve your health.

Actionsets are designed to help people take an active role in managing a health condition.

Credits

Current as of: February 24, 2020

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: John Pope MD - Pediatrics
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Lora J. Stewart MD - Allergy and Immunology

Symptom Checker

Feeling under the weather?

Healthwise Symptom Checker Logo

Use our interactive symptom checker to evaluate your symptoms and determine appropriate action or treatment.

Decision Points

Our interactive Decision Points guide you through making key health decisions by combining medical information with your personal information.

You'll find Decision Points to help you answer questions about:

Interactive Tools

Get started learning more about your health!

Our Interactive Tools can help you make smart decisions for a healthier life. You'll find personal calculators and tools for health and fitness, lifestyle checkups, and pregnancy.