METABOLIC EXERCISE STRESS TESTING

Metabolic Exercise Stress Testing

Metabolic Exercise Stress Testing

Introduction

A test used to measure the performance of the heart and lungs while they are under physical stress. The test involves walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike at increasing levels of difficulty, while being closely monitored.

A Brief History: Background Information

Metabolic Testing has been performed for over fifteen years, and has been improved upon during the last ten years. We can now provide a patient with the most precise method of testing available.

Formerly, the test was performed by analyzing how much expired and inspired gas a patient used over a period of time. This analysis would take days to complete, even after the testing was performed, and it only provided a general view of his exercise capacity (Dilated Cardiomyopathy, 2004).

Today, each breath is measured independently and instantaneously. It is a highly accurate test that can apprise the patient and doctor about exercise capacity at various levels of difficulty, and warn of possible limitations.

Discussion

Following lines present the discussion part of the paper.

Sports/Fitness Testing

Metabolic Testing is well suited for evaluating athletes and assessing methods of improvement. For example, the U.S. Olympic Committee utilizes Metabolic Testing to assess athletes ranging from weight lifters to table tennis players to swimmers and runners. Each group of athletes has different types of training and physical requirements, and evaluations should be made frequently at each stage of their progression. In some Olympic sports (particularly cycling and rowing), selection of team members may be based on exercise test results.

Pulmonary & Cardiac Rehabilitation

Metabolic Testing can help distinguish between pulmonary and cardiac disease, so it is useful when considering a patient's exercise rehabilitation prescription. This prescription is developed from direct measurement of oxygen uptake, heart rate, anaerobic threshold.

Metabolic Testing is valuable in directing the physician's attention toward the physiological mechanisms that require care. In this way, the rehabilitation program can be better tailored for the individual patient (Dilated Cardiomyopathy, 2004). It also helps to identify the mechanisms responsible for the improvement. Your doctor uses the metabolic stress test to:

* determine how fit your heart and lungs are

* determine if symptoms of shortness of breath or chronic fatigue are due to a medical problem (such as heart or lung disease) or due to poor fitness

* measure your heart's ability to do work (functional capacity)

* determine if certain surgical treatments are appropriate for you

* evaluate the effectiveness of your cardiac treatment plan

* help you develop a safe and effective exercise program

To prepare:

* Do not eat or drink anything except water for four hours before the test.

* Do not drink or eat caffeine products (cola, Mountain Dew, chocolate products, coffee or tea) for 12 hours before the test. Caffeine may interfere with the results of your test.

* Do not smoke on the day of the test.

* Ask your doctor what medications should be taken on the day of your test. If you use an inhaler for breathing, bring it to the test. If you are diabetic, ask your physician how to adjust ...