A 6 minute walk test, also known as a pulmonary stress test, is a test performed to determine the severity of a patient’s dyspnea level.
During this test the patient will walk their normal pace on a flat surface for 6 minutes.
During the walk, the blood oxygen level will be checked periodically throughout the test to determine if a patient needs supplemental oxygen.
If the blood oxygen saturation level drops below 88% the patient will be placed on oxygen with a nasal cannula and continue walking.
This will help determine if the patient needs to be placed on supplemental oxygen at home.