What is asthma zones?

Asthma zones are part of your asthma action plan. The zones are defined by your symptoms, your peak flow, or both. Knowing what zone you're in can help you know how well your asthma is under control and if you need help.

There are three zones:

Green zone.

Green means good. The green zone is where you want to be.

Yellow zone.

Yellow means caution. If you're in this zone, it may mean you're having an asthma attack or that your medicine needs to be increased.

Red zone.

Red means DANGER. If you're in this zone, you may be having a severe asthma attack. Being in the red zone is dangerous. If you're in the red zone, you need to take action right away.

Knowing what asthma zone you're in can help you know what kind and how much medicine to take and when to call for help.

Green zone.

If your symptoms, peak flow, or both are in the green zone, keep taking your asthma medicines as prescribed.

Yellow zone.

If your symptoms, peak flow, or both are in the yellow zone, take your medicine according to your asthma action plan.

If your symptoms don't improve within 20 to 60 minutes or if your peak flow remains less than 70% of your personal best measurement, or if both, then follow the red zone instructions in your asthma action plan. Your lungs are not responding to medicine.

If you keep going into the yellow zone from the green zone, talk with your doctor. Your regular medicine may need to be changed.

Red zone.

If your symptoms, peak flow, or both are in the red zone:

• Take the actions listed in your asthma action plan, including what kind and how much medicine to take.
• Talk with a doctor right away or get emergency help right away.
• Call 911 right away if you've followed your action plan, but:
  • You're having severe trouble breathing.
  • 20 to 30 minutes after taking your medicine, you don't feel better and/or your peak flow is still less than 50% of your personal best measurement.