Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing: Measuring Integrated Heart–Lung Fitness
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) is an advanced diagnostic tool that evaluates how well the heart, lungs, and muscles work together during physical activity. Unlike routine stress tests that focus primarily on the heart, CPET provides a comprehensive assessment of the entire cardiopulmonary system, making it one of the most accurate tests for determining exercise capacity and functional health.
During CPET, patients typically walk on a treadmill or cycle on an ergometer while breathing through a mouthpiece connected to monitoring equipment. The test measures key parameters such as oxygen consumption (VO₂), carbon dioxide production (VCO₂), heart rate, blood pressure, and ventilation patterns. These data help clinicians understand how efficiently the body uses oxygen and eliminates carbon dioxide during exercise.
CPET is widely used in diagnosing unexplained shortness of breath, evaluating fitness levels before surgery, assessing heart failure severity, and monitoring performance in athletes. It also helps differentiate between cardiac, pulmonary, and…