Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test

The Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test measures your body’s oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide production while you ride a stationary bike at increasing difficulty.

This provides information about how your heart and lungs are functioning.

The test takes 120 minutes.

Special Preparations: (day of test)

• Arrive 15 minutes early to your appointment
• Bring your insurance card and any physician orders
• Ensure that you are well rested and adequately hydrated on the morning of the test
• Avoid a full stomach by not eating 2 hours before test
• Wear sturdy shoes such as sneakers; no sandals
• Wear loose fitting or comfortable clothing that will permit you to move your legs freely
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, tobacco or other stimulants within 8 hours of the test
• Take your regular scheduled medications as normal (unless otherwise instructed)
• Do not exercise for 24 hours prior to the test
• Do not apply skin lotion the day of testing (prevents heart monitor pads from sticking)
• No lipstick, lip balm or chap-stick
• No unwire bras (preferably a sports bra)
• Remove any nail polish (for quality pulse oximetry readings)