Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is a medical diagnostic test that measures the response of the heart, lungs, and muscles to exercise. During a CPET, the patient is hooked up to a machine that measures various physiological parameters, including oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, heart rate, blood pressure, and ventilation.
CPET is typically performed on a treadmill or stationary bike while the patient is wearing a facemask or mouthpiece that measures gas exchange. The test is usually conducted in a laboratory or clinic, and the patient's progress is closely monitored by a trained healthcare professional.
CPET can provide valuable information about a patient's overall fitness, as well as specific medical conditions such as heart or lung disease. It can help identify exercise-induced limitations or impairments, and can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of certain treatments or interventions.
The results of a CPET are often reported in the form of a graph or chart, which shows how various physiological parameters change over time during the course of the test. The data can be analyzed to provide information on a patient's aerobic capacity, heart function, and overall exercise tolerance. CPET is a safe and noninvasive test, but it does require a moderate level of physical exertion, so it may not be suitable for all patients.
