When the doctor uses stethoscope on you, should you breath deeply?

Question

Does breathing deeply help the doctor to hear better, or should you breath normally?

Answer 1

The PP is right.  Deep breaths are good when you are listening to the lungs; breathing normally is better when you're listening to the heart or the belly.

If we're looking to pin down certain difficult-to-discern heart sounds, we may even ask for the patient to hold their breath and "bear down".  This is called the Valsalva maneuver and it will increase certain sounds and decrease others.

ETA:  breathing deeply doesn't really make a difference when taking the blood pressure.  You shouldn't hold your breath because that could make your heart rate (and blood pressure) go up transiently, but just breathing normally is fine.

Answer 2

yes. taking even, deep breaths helps the doctor hear your heart better.  it's not necessarily the deep breathing that helps, it's the even breathing that helps ;)

Answer 3

it depends on what the doctor is listening for. some things are better heard when you are breathing normally, holding your breath, or taking a deep breath. if the doctor didn't tell you to breath a certain way, then just breath normally.

Answer 4

well if they listen to your lungs, they will tell you to take a deep breath so they can hear how clear your lungs are but you breath normal when they listen to your chest or stomach.

Answer 5

You should breath normally and if the doctor needs, he/she will ask you to breathe deeply. Just follow the doctor's instruction.

Answer 6

It's not uncommon for them to say they're listening to one thing while doing another.  For example, listening to your lungs while saying he or she is listening to your heart, or vice  versa.  Breathing deeper can make it easier to hear if there are any unusual breath sounds, because they will likely be louder or longer in duration.  

Just do whatever it is they ask you to, as they probably have a reason for it.