Pulmonary Function Test in Heart Failure

My heart failure Doc wants a baseline to address how well my heart and lungs are working together.  Typically, I currently do a three mile trek on an Air Conditioned indoor walking track.  No crazy speed..........20 min/mile.  Followed by a 1/2 hour on a "New Step" machine - still, I don't go crazy.  Prior to Jan. this year, I would trek 3 miles on a treadmill followed by 6 miles on a recumbent bike & followed by a mile on the indoor track. IT Band Tedonitis erupted last Jan and it took 4 months before I found a Sport Medicine Orthopedic Doc who knew her stuff and cured my issue.

Anyone here have any experience with a pulmonary function test?

--Dave-- 

3 Comments

Yes

by Gotrhythm - 2018-06-09 15:09:37

I've had pulmonary function tests, several in fact.

What did you want to know?

Gotrhythm

by DAVID H - 2018-06-09 17:40:49

Were your tests administered while on a treadmill with increasing speed and incline along with a mask that measured your oxygen in, carbon dioxide out or some other method?

Stationary bike not treadmill

by Gotrhythm - 2018-06-10 18:14:07

I pedaled a stationary bike while wearing mask. Lung volume, inspiratory and expiratory pressure were measured, as well as oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange. There could have been other measurements but that's all I remember. Simultaneously, I was wired up for EKG and pulse ox.

I told them that if they needed me to get to a certain heartrate, it wasn't going to happen pedaling a bike, but they didn't seem to think it would make a big difference.

 

 

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But I think it will make me feel a lot better. My stamina to walk is already better, even right after surgery. They had me walk all around the floor before they would release me. I did so without being exhausted and winded the way I had been.