The 6-Minute Walk Test

The 6-minute walk test is an exercise procedure that tests the distance a person can walk in six minutes. It records the results of multiple cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal systems. The test can help doctors diagnose certain health problems or determine if a patient is recovering from an illness or injury properly.

Why A Person May Need A 6-Minute Walk Test

Doctors may choose to perform the 6-minute walk test on any patient that they are concerned about. It can be used on patients who are obese, and those who have mobility issues. There are certain health conditions and issues that may motivate a doctor to perform the test on patients. Those health problems include:

• Pulmonary arterial hypertension
• Heart failure
• Cardiac rehabilitation/coronary artery disease
• Peripheral arterial disease
• Arrhythmia
• Cardiovascular collapse
• Respiratory distress

Preparing For The 6-Minute Walk Test

The patient should not do any warm-ups or a lot of exercise before the test. The patient should be made comfortable for at least 10 minutes before the test begins. Doctors will check the patient’s blood pressure and heart rate before the test begins to get an idea of what the resting readings are. The patient will also be asked about their fatigue and doctors will base it on the Borg scale.

During The 6-Minute Walk Test

During the test, the patient will walk on a treadmill or in a designated area such as a track. The person supervising the patient will not walk alongside the patient, as this could make the patient try to match the pace. The test only works if the patient walks at their own pace. The patient should continue to walk for six minutes. If they need to rest during the test, they can take a break. The clock doesn’t stop during the resting periods, and the rests should be considered when determining the results of the test.

Complications of the 6-Minute Walk Test

While complications are rare with the 6-minute walk test, they are possible. Most patients do not experience any complications or only mild ones. Some complications may be severe and could also be a sign of another health problem. Some common complications include:

• Light-headedness
• Nausea
• Muscle pain
• Breathing problems
• Chest pain
• High blood pressure

Results Of The 6-Minute Walk Test

The results of the test are delivered in terms of distance travelled in 6 minutes and oxygen saturation. Doctors compare those results to standards for the age and sex of the patients. The doctor uses the results to determine if the patient falls into a category of a certain disease or illness. The results can tell doctors if a patient is recovering from an illness or injury, or if they still need treatment.