Asthma Action Plan
A clear, personal guide that tells you what to do every day and what to do if your asthma gets worse.
Every person with asthma should have an asthma action plan, created specifically for them by their medical team.
What an Asthma Action Plan Does
An asthma action plan:
- Acts as your personal guide to staying in control of your asthma.
- Helps you manage your asthma symptoms day to day with a clear routine.
- Helps you avoid asthma emergencies by spotting warning signs early.
- Tells you exactly what to do if symptoms worsen or an asthma attack occurs.
Examples of Asthma Action Plans
Your own plan will come from your medical team. These trusted organizations show what a plan can look like:
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What Every Plan Should Include
Every action plan is tailored to someone’s health, medical history and the medication they take. It will likely look different from your friend’s plan, and that is expected.
- Your asthma triggers
- Details about your asthma medication (name, dosage, and how often to take it)
- How to spot early signs of asthma symptoms getting worse
- How to adjust your medication based on symptoms or peak flow meter readings
- Which medication to take, how much, and how to take it during worsening symptoms or an asthma attack
- When to contact your medical team or call 911 (or your local emergency number outside the US) or go to the emergency room, including emergency contact numbers
The Three Zones of an Asthma Action Plan
Most action plans are split into three color-coded zones. A peak flow meter reading (compared with your personal best) can help show which zone you are in.
🟢 Green Zone · Doing well
No asthma symptoms and your asthma is well controlled. Keep taking your usual medication.
Peak flow: more than 80% of personal best🟡 Yellow Zone · Caution
Symptoms are appearing. Follow the specific instructions in your plan to stop things getting worse.
Peak flow: 50 to 79% of personal best🔴 Red Zone · Emergency
Severe symptoms or an asthma attack. Follow your emergency steps and seek immediate medical care.
Peak flow: less than 50% of personal bestKeeping and Sharing Your Plan
- Keep several copies of your asthma action plan.
- Have a digital version handy on your phone.
- Give a copy to your school office or school nurse.
You never have to share more than you are comfortable with. At a minimum, it helps if the people around you know the basics: where your reliever inhaler is kept and what to do during an asthma attack.
Examples of school-specific plans
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As you get older
As your life changes, it helps to share your plan with new people around you:
- At college, share it with student health services and the disability or accessibility office, and consider telling a trusted tutor.
- Tell your sports coaches or trainers, so they know what to do during training or games.
- If you live away from home, share it with your roommates.
- At a job, consider telling a manager or workplace first-aider if you feel comfortable doing so.
Signs of Well-Controlled Asthma (Green Zone)
- Coughing happens no more than 2 times per week.
- No nights when asthma wakes you up.
- A reliever inhaler is used no more than 2 times per week (not counting use before exercise).
- No oral steroid treatment (tablets or liquid, not your inhaler) has been needed in the past 12 months.
- Everyday activities and sports are done without breathing difficulties.