Role of the 6-Minute Walk Test in Cardiac Rehabilitation

Abstract

Exercise testing is a key component of the initial patient assessment performed when a patient enrolls in a cardiac rehabilitation program, and change in functional capacity has become a common clinical outcome in cardiac rehabilitation programs (1). Traditionally, exercise testing has been conducted on a treadmill or bicycle ergometer using graded intensity protocols designed to determine maximal exercise capacity. Maximal exercise testing has been extensively validated for diagnosis, prognostication, and exercise prescription, all of which are discussed in detail elsewhere in this book. However, such testing requires specialized facilities, equipment, and personnel and is associated with considerable cost, which may or may not be covered by third-party payers in the cardiac rehabilitation setting.