To safely measure the performance of the heart and lungs under stress to help determine if the patients symptoms are due to a medical problem such as heart or lung disease or due to poor fitness.
Who performs the testing?
Two Respiratory Therapists specially trained in CPET testing will perform your test. A pulmonary physician will also be in attendance during testing. A Pulmonologist will interpret the results and provide your physician with a report.
Indications for PFT testing
Including but not limited to:
- Evaluation of undiagnosed exercise intolerance
- Evaluation of patients with cardiovascular disease
- Evaluation of patients with respiratory disease
- Preoperative evaluation
- Exercise evaluation and prescription for pulmonary rehabilitation
- Evaluation for disability
- Evaluation for lung, heart-lung transplant
- Industrial and sport evaluations
When is a test contraindicated?
- Including but not limited to:
- Myocardial Infarction in the last 4 weeks
- Unstable angina
- Uncontrolled arrhythmia’s causing symptoms
- Syncope
- Uncontrolled heart failure
- Acute pulmonary embolus or pulmonary infarction
- Thrombosis of the lower extremities
- Suspected dissecting aneurysm
- Uncontrolled or untreated asthma
- Pulmonary edema
- Mental impairment leading to inability to cooperate or a non-compliant patient.
- Severe untreated arterial hypertension at rest o (>200 mmHg systolic, >110 mmHG diastolic)
How do I prepare?
- Plan on arriving 15 minutes before your appointment for check-in. You will check in at the patient registration desk in the main lobby of the hospital.
- No heavy exercise should be done on the same day of the test.
- Do not eat or drink anything except for water for 4 hours before the test.
- Do not smoke the day of the test.
- Do not eat or drink caffeinated, decaffeinated or caffeine free products (cola, chocolate products, coffee or tea) for 12 hours before the test. Caffeine may interfere with results of your test.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes. Bring shoes suitable for exercise.
- Do not bring valuables.
- If you take medications, consult with your physician to determine when you should take medications prior to being tested.
What do I do during testing?
During testing you will be breathing through a specialized mouthpiece and hooked up to ECG monitoring equipment. Before and during testing arterial blood samples will be taken. You will be asked to exercise on a bike or treadmill to your maximum ability while being closely monitored by KRMC staff and a physician.
How do I get my test results?
You may receive a copy of your test results by contacting the Health Information Department 509-946-4611, ext 2017.