Cardiopulmonary Diagnostic Testing
Cardiopulmonary diagnostic testing is used to assess cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Cardiopulmonary Diagnostic Testing
Cardiopulmonary diagnostic testing is used to assess cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
C-diagnostics offers both adult and pediatric cardiopulmonary testing. Pulmonary function testing is used to assess for potential causes of shortness of breath or chest pain and/or to diagnose respiratory disease. They can also be done to assess how well medications are working to control disease. Click on each option below to learn more about these tests.
Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)
A PFT requires patients to perform a series of breathing exercises using special equipment that is designed to measure how well your lungs perform. These tests are conducted by a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) who will coach you through each step. Most patients are referred for these tests to assess for potential causes of shortness of breath or chest pain and/or to assess for asthma or COPD.
If you have already been diagnosed with asthma or COPD, you may be asked to repeat this test to see how well your medication(s) are working to control your disease or to see if the disease has progressed in any way.
What to Expect During This Test
This test will last approximately 1 hour and will include several different breathing exercises that will be explained to you in detail on the day of the test. Your nose will be clipped, and you will breathe in and out through your mouth into a mouthpiece attached to a machine. The RRT will compile a report of your lung measurements which will be interpreted by a respirologist. Your doctor can expect to have the results of this test 7-10 days after you complete it.
You will also have the opportunity to review your medication and inhaler use with our RRT to ensure that these are the right medications for you and that you are using them correctly.
To learn more about the different breathing exercises practiced during a PFT, please click here
How to Prepare for This Test
Wear loose fitting comfortable clothing for your test. You can expect your appointment to last approximately one hour; this will allow for the test to be completed and provide time for medication review should it be deemed necessary. There is no cardiovascular exercise component to your scheduled testing. Fasting is not required, however we do ask for patients to please refrain from smoking/vaping for at least two hours prior to the test.
For maximal accuracy, our aim is to have you arrive for your PFT without any inhaler medication(s) in your system. As such, you are asked to refrain from taking any inhalers for 24 hours prior to the PFT. Please refer to the C-health information sheet titled: Pulmonary Function Test for guidance on how to adjust your medication(s) appropriately for your test.
If you are unsure whether these medication changes apply to you, or if you have questions about this process, please contact your C-health physician before altering your medication regimen.
Spirometry
Spirometry is the best available test for diagnosing asthma and COPD. It is performed to measure the amount of air you breathe in and out as part of a full Pulmonary Function Test (PFT). For some people, such as young children, only spirometry is required to assess lung functioning. The test is meant to measure how well your lungs perform and is conducted by a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) who will coach you through each step.
What to Expect During This Test
This test requires you to complete several breathing exercises that will be explained to you in detail on the day of the test. Your nose will be clipped, and you will breathe in and out through your mouth into a mouthpiece attached to a machine. The RRT will compile a report of your lung measurements which will be interpreted by a respirologist. Your doctor can expect to have the results of this test 7-10 days after you complete it.
For additional information on what Spirometry is, please click here
To see the steps involved in a Spirometry appointment, click here
How to Prepare for This Test
Wear loose fitting comfortable clothing for your test. You can expect your appointment to last approximately one hour; this will allow for the test to be completed and provide time for medication review should it be deemed necessary. There is no cardiovascular exercise component to your scheduled testing. Fasting is not required, however we do ask for patients to please refrain from smoking/vaping for at least two hours prior to the test.
For maximal accuracy, our aim is to have you arrive at your spirometry appointment without any inhaler medication(s) in your system. As such, you are asked to refrain from taking any inhalers for 24 hours prior to the test. Please refer to the C-health information sheet titled: Pulmonary Function Test for guidance on how to adjust your medication(s) appropriately for spirometry testing.
If you are unsure whether these medication changes apply to you, or if you have questions about this process, please contact your C-health physician before altering your medication regimen.
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET)
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) is a non-invasive method used to assess the performance of the heart and lungs at rest and during exercise. You may have heard this type of test referred to as a “VO2 test.” CPET is a type of exercise stress test that gathers information about both the heart and the lungs to understand if the body’s response to exercise is normal or abnormal. It does this by measuring the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide that you breathe in and out with a special mask and sensor.
These tests are conducted by a Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) and either a cardiology technician or a nurse or paramedic; a physician will oversee your test for safety and will be present during your appointment to answer any questions you may have.
What to Expect During This Test
Your visit will begin with a technician obtaining your height and weight. Next, you will be taken to the treadmill lab where the CPET and treadmill machines are located. Your test will begin performing a spirometry test (above) to determine how much air your lungs can hold. Then, you will have your blood pressure (BP) and electrocardiogram (ECG) obtained; these will be monitored throughout the duration of the CPET.
Once all of your baseline measurements have been taken, you will be fitted for a CPET Face Mask. This mask is fitted snugly to the face to ensure that your oxygen and carbon dioxide measurements are accurate. This can make wearing glasses difficult during the test and may be uncomfortable for those with claustrophobia. This will be discussed with you prior to booking your appointment. If you have any concerns about the mask or the CPET equipment, please speak with your physician before booking.
After you have been attached to the machine, the test will begin:
- You will begin with a 5-minute period of rest with the mask in place. Then you will move to the treadmill.
- The treadmill will begin slowly and gradually increase its speed.
- Your goal is to exercise for as long as physically possible. Unless it is deemed unsafe to proceed, we will not stop your test until you tell us that you are too tired to continue. Your ECG and BP will be monitored throughout the entire test to ensure that you are safe.
- When you are done on the treadmill, you will rest for another period of 5-minutes while we monitor your breathing, BP, and ECG.
How to Prepare for This Test
- Take all of your regularly scheduled medications and inhalers before this test.
- Do not engage in strenuous exercise within 24 hours prior to the test.
- Do not exercise at all within 12 hours prior to the test
- Avoid alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, and other stimulants within 8 hours prior to the test.
- Avoid medications that can make you drowsy within 8 hours prior to the test.
- Please dIt is preferred that subjects do not eat anything for 3 hours before the exercise test.
- Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing that will permit you to move your legs freely.
- Wear athletic shoes appropriate for exercise.
A staff member will call you 3-5 days before your CPET test to review all instructions with you and to answer any questions you may have.