Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is used to objectively measure the exercise capacity of a patient and to uncover whether exertional breathlessness is likely to be due to a problem with the heart or the lungs.
You will be asked to exercise whilst being monitored carefully. Your heart rhythm will be monitored with an electrocardiogram (ECG) and your blood pressure and oxygen levels will also be measured. You will be asked to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth tightly. This mask usually helps to measure the amount of air the patient breathes during the exercise.
Measurements will be made at rest, and then at regular intervals throughout the test. The test will become progressively more difficult and will end at around 15 minutes, or earlier if it becomes too difficult.
The information collected as you exercise more vigorously will be analysed and used to quantify your maximum exercise capacity. The pattern of changes that occur during exercise can help to uncover if there is a problem with the heart causing breathlessness or whether it is due to the lungs.
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is a useful test to investigate breathlessness. Our cardiologists are available for consultation on any day of the week and weekends as well.
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