Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test, or CPET, is an alternative stress test, CPET measures the degree to which the heart, muscles and lungs work as individual organs or organ structures and the ways they work in unison as a system.
Doctors use CPET to formulate the best treatment for patients and to identify cardiac and pulmonary issues.
The test is completely non-invasive, simple, safe, and it only takes about an hour to complete.
CPET is a safe and beneficial alternative to the traditional stress test.
During the traditional stress test, patients are asked to run on a treadmill for a designated amount of time at varying speeds while doctors use equipment to monitor the heart, muscles and lungs.
While the traditional stress test is completed on a treadmill, the CPET is preformed on a stationary bicycle.
Most patients prefer the CPET test to the traditional stress test for this reason; riding the bicycle is much more comfortable that walking on a treadmill.
Throughout the test, patients are given pieces of equipment that is used to monitor the body's response to increased activity, or stress.
The equipment is very similar to the equipment used in the traditional test, including, a face mask, an electrocardiogram (EKG), a blood pressure cuff, and a pulse oximeter.
The face mask is used to monitor breathing.
It monitors the amount of oxygen used, the amount of carbon dioxide produced, and the patient's breathing pattern.
For the patient's comfort the mask is placed over the mouth and nose, but does not restrict breathing.
EKGs monitor the heart's activity.
Electrodes are placed on specific areas of the patient's body.
Attached wires register the heart's activity, preventing it from reaching a hazardous stress level.
It is necessary for the blood pressure to be taken several times during the test, so cuffs are placed on the patient to comfortable measure their blood pressure.
The patient is also asked to wear a small pulse oximeter.
A pulse oximeter is a small piece of equipment that slides over the patient's finger.
It uses a light to measure the percentage of red blood cells carrying oxygen to the muscles.
To accurately assess the patient's condition, doctors frequently ask them to describe how they are feeling.
This is also to make sure the patient is comfortable throughout the entirety of the test.
The traditional stress tests are often dreaded by patients because of their time consuming and exhausting nature, but CPET testing was completely designed with the care and safety of the patient in mind.
CPET testing is also much safer, significantly decreasing the susceptibility of overstress.