Information For Healthcare Providers

Asthma Management Guidelines

The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) supports the development of clinical practice guidelines based on the best available science that specialists and health care providers can use to improve the care that patients receive. In 2020, NHLBI released the 2020 Focused Updates to the Asthma Management Guidelines (full report) which updates selected topics of asthma management guidelines published in the 2007 (PDF).

The At-A-Glance Guide for the 2020 Asthma Management Guidelines provides a concise summary of the clinical guidelines (2007 and 2020 integrated). The Clinicians Guide to the 2020 Focused Updates to the Asthma Management Guidelines summarizes the six specific areas updated in the new guidelines.

Asthma Action Plans

An asthma action plan, sometimes called "asthma management plan", is a written plan used to keep track of medications, peak flow, and give steps to take in case of an asthma attack.

Studies show that following a written asthma action plan can lead to fewer asthma attacks and better asthma control. Sit down with your doctor and ask them to fill out a written action plan. Be sure to have your plan updated at least once a year. If you are the parent or caregiver for a child with asthma, give their school nurse a copy of the asthma action plan, too.