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Does lung capacity decrease as you get older? What you need to know about aging lungs

Lung function peaks around age 25 and, after age 35, begins a gradual decline. The answer to "does lung capacity decrease as you get older?" is unequivocally yes, and this natural process is influenced by various physiological changes within the respiratory system, from weakening muscles to a stiffening chest wall. While this decline is normal, several factors can accelerate it, and preventative strategies can help maintain optimal lung function throughout life.