Service

Six Minute Walk Test

The six-minute walk test is a simple, safe and surprisingly powerful measure of how your heart and lungs cope with everyday activity. It records how far you can walk on level ground in six minutes — and what happens to your oxygen levels while you do.

What it tells us

Your functional exercise capacity in real-world terms
How your blood-oxygen level responds to exertion
The combined performance of your heart and lungs
Whether you may benefit from supplemental oxygen

When it is used

In interstitial lung disease, COPD and pulmonary hypertension
Before and after a course of pulmonary rehabilitation
To track disease progression and response to treatment
As part of pre-operative and transplant assessment

What to expect

You walk back and forth along a measured, flat corridor at your own comfortable pace while we monitor your oxygen saturation and heart rate. You stay completely in control — you can slow down, stop and rest at any time — and the total distance you cover is recorded.

Getting ready

Wear comfortable clothing and supportive walking shoes
Take your usual medicines and bring your inhalers
Have a light meal beforehand and avoid heavy exertion just before the test