Six-Minute Walk Test

You may have this test to help determine how severe your breathing problem is and how it affects your ability to exercise. This test can also be used to check how well your pulmonary rehabilitation program or medicines are working.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.

• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.

• Any blood disorders you have.

• Any surgeries you have had.

• Any medical conditions you have.

• Any problems you have with your legs, hips, or back.

• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

What happens before the procedure?

• Ask your health care provider if you should take your medicines on the day of your test. This includes any inhaled medicines.

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating and drinking restrictions. You may be told to eat a light meal 2 or more hours before your test.

• Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.

• Bring along any assistive walking devices that you use, such as a cane or walker. It is likely that you will use them during your test.

• Do not do exercise or activities that take a lot of effort during the 2 hours before your test.

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. These products include cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vaping devices, such as e-cigarettes. Using these before the test may interfere with the test results. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.

What happens during the procedure?

• Before the exercise part of the test, you will sit and rest for a few minutes. Your blood pressure, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and dyspnea score will be measured.

• A timer will be started. You may be instructed to:

  • Walk on a hard, flat surface for 6 minutes.

  • Wear a portable oxygen monitor while you are walking.

  • Do a different type of exercise for a different length of time.

• The distance that you walk within the given time period will be recorded.

• After the test, the same measurements that were taken before the test will be taken again.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What can I expect after the procedure?

• You may return to your normal diet, medicines, and activities as directed by your health care provider.

• Talk with your health care provider about what your test results mean.

• You may need to have this test done again to check how well your treatments are working.

Summary

• The 6-minute walk test measures how far you can walk in 6 minutes on a hard, flat surface.

• You may have this test to determine how severe your breathing problem is and how well your treatments are working.

• Before the exercise part of the test, you will sit and rest for a few minutes. Your blood pressure, heart rate, amount of oxygen in the blood (oxygen saturation), and level of breathlessness will be measured. These measurements will be taken again after the test.

• Talk with your health care provider about what your test results mean.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.