Donate
Call the Lung HelpLine
Ask a Question
The following text field filters the results that follow as you type. Use Tab to access the results.
  1. Home
  2. Lung Health & Diseases
  3. Lung Disease Lookup
  4. COPD
  5. Symptoms & Diagnosis
  6. Diagnosing COPD
  7. Understanding COPD Stages

Understanding COPD Stages

Stages of COPD

There are four stages of COPD. Your healthcare provider will use your COPD stage to determine your COPD severity and guide your treatment. To stage COPD, your healthcare provider will look at your spirometry or other pulmonary function test results, risk or history of exacerbations, symptoms, and other health conditions.

iframe video

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a long-term lung disease that makes breathing more difficult. It's important to understand the four stages of COPD - mild, moderate, severe and very severe - and how to reduce exposure to anything that can worsen your symptoms. Following your treatment plan and avoiding flare ups can help slow the progression of your disease.

Watch Video

Understanding COPD Stages 

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is a long-term lung disease that makes breathing more difficult. COPD tends to get worse over time, and actions you can take can either speed up or slow down this progression. There are four stages of COPD: mild, moderate, severe, and very severe. 

Your healthcare provider will determine what stage your COPD is at when you are diagnosed and throughout your COPD journey.  Your healthcare provider will recommend treatment based on your COPD stage, health history, risk of flare ups, and symptoms. Exposure to poor air quality, using tobacco products, or not getting recommended vaccinations can all negatively impact your lung health. This may cause your COPD to progress more quickly to the next stage. There are steps you can take to help keep your COPD from getting worse. Discuss these three things with your healthcare provider.    

Follow your COPD Action Plan. If you aren’t taking your medication as directed, talk to your healthcare provider about why. Together, you can brainstorm a medication plan that works for you. You might feel like it is not safe, or even possible to exercise with COPD, but the right amount and type of activity has many benefits.  Your healthcare provider can help you decide what type of physical activity is right for you and how to get started. Frequent flareups can speed up disease progression. Flare ups are a sudden worsening of symptoms. As soon as you notice your COPD symptoms are worsening, call your healthcare provider to get back on track.  Everyone’s COPD journey is different, but there are steps you can take at any stage of your COPD to help slow the progression and keep living your best possible life. Learn more at lung.org/copd 


[Spanish Version]

Four Stages of COPD

Mild

You may have little to no symptoms, but if you walk on an incline or exercise, you may have symptoms like shortness of breath. 

Moderate

You may have more symptoms regularly and feel out of breath while walking on flat surfaces or a longer distance. 

Severe

You may experience daily symptoms. These symptoms may be more troublesome, and you may have a harder time completing daily activities. 

Very Severe

You may find everyday activities difficult because of your symptoms, have less energy and may have low oxygen levels. 

COPD is a progressive lung disease, which means it will get worse over time. However, there are many things you can do to slow the progression of the disease. At each stage you are at risk of having COPD flare-ups or exacerbations. Your healthcare provider will work with you to find the best treatment options, which are available at every stage of COPD. 

Lung Health Navigators

Our Lung Health Navigators empower people to understand and manage their lung health. We offer FREE one-on-one education programs to support those living with lung disease including COPD.

Page last updated: April 15, 2025

Freedom From Smoking Clinic - Geneva, OH
Geneva, OH | Apr 03, 2025 Freedom From Smoking Clinic - Cleveland, OH
Cleveland, OH | Apr 22, 2025
See All Events