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Cardiopulmonary Exercise Stress Test: What to Know

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing, or CPET, is a test that checks how your heart and lungs respond to exercise. It measures how your body uses oxygen during exercise.

You may have a CPET to:

1. Find out why you are short of breath.
2. Check for heart or lung problems.
3. See how your lungs work.
4. See how your heart works.
5. Check your ability to exercise. Your results may be compared with other people your age.
6. Check if a treatment is helping your heart or lungs.
7. Check if a planned surgery is safe for you.

During this test you may:

1. Walk on a treadmill.
2. Run on a treadmill.
3. Pedal a stationary bike.

Tell a healthcare provider about:

1. Any allergies you have.
2. Any medicines you take. These include vitamins, herbal medicines, and supplements.
3. Any bleeding problems you have.
4. Any surgery you have had.
5. Any medical problems you have.
6. Whether you have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker.
7. Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Your healthcare provider will talk to you about risks. These may include:

1. Chest pain.
2. Feeling short of breath.
3. Feeling dizzy.
4. Leg pain.
5. A fast or uneven heartbeat.

What happens before?

a. Ask about changing or stopping:

1. Any medicines you take.
2. Any vitamins, herbal medicines, or supplements you take.

b. Do not take aspirin or NSAIDs unless you are instructed to.

c. If you have diabetes, ask how you should take your insulin or diabetes pills.

d. Eat and drink only as you have been instructed.

e. Wear loose-fitting clothes and comfortable shoes.

f. If you use an inhaler, bring it with you to the test.

What happens during a CPET? 

You will be watched closely while you exercise.

1. Patches called electrodes will be put on your chest. They will be attached to a machine that records your heart activity.
2. A clip-on monitor called a pulse oximeter will be put on your finger. This shows how much oxygen is in your blood.
3. A blood pressure cuff will be put on your arm.

A clip will be put on your nose and a mouthpiece will be placed in your mouth. This may be held in place with a headpiece. You will breathe through the mouthpiece during the test.

You will be asked to start exercising with the amount of effort slowly going up.

During exercise, the test will measure:

1. Your heart rate.
2. Your heart rhythm.
3. Your blood oxygen level.
4. How much oxygen you breathe in and how much carbon dioxide you breathe out.

The test will be stopped if:

1. You have exercised as much as you are able to.
2. You have chest or leg pain, feel dizzy, or are short of breath.
3. You have changes to your blood pressure or heartbeat that are not normal.

These steps may vary. Ask what you can expect.

What can I expect after?

• You will be watched closely until you leave. This includes checking your pain level, blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate.
• Ask when your test results will be ready and how to get them. You may need to call or meet with your healthcare provider to get your results.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.