Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) is a stress test that measures the degree to which the muscles, heart, and lungs function individually and also the way they work all together. Medical professionals use the CPET to find the best treatment methods for patients and also to identify pulmonary and cardiac problems. There is a myriad of reasons as to why this method remains to be popular among many and this is because it is safe, simple, non-invasive and it takes a short to complete the test. When compared to the traditional stress test, CPET remains beneficial and safe. For the traditional stress test, a patient is tasked to run on a treadmill for a specified amount of time at different speeds, and for CPET, medical professionals use equipment to assess the muscles, heart, and lungs.
Another difference between the traditional test and CPET is that CPET is performed on a stationary bicycle. One of the major reasons why patients prefer CPET is because riding a bicycle is more comfortable than running on a treadmill. While patients are undertaking this CPET, they are provided with different equipment that is utilized to check the response of the body to increased stress and activity. Part of the equipment provided includes an electrocardiogram, pulse oximeter, blood pressure cuff, and a face mask. The face mask is used in monitoring breathing. Here, the amount of oxygen utilized, a patient’s breathing sequence, and the carbon dioxide released. So that a patient feels comfortable, the face mask is placed over the nose and mouth.
The electrocardiogram (EKG) checks the activity of the heart. As such, electrodes are positioned on various parts of the body and these wires check the heart’s activity and stopping it from attaining hazardous stress levels. It is also crucial for blood pressure to be evaluated in several instances during the CPET, and therefore cuffs are positioned on the patient to evaluate their blood pressure. The pulse oximeter, which is a small piece of equipment that slides on a patient’s finger, uses light to measure the percentage of the red blood cells that are tasked with transporting oxygen to muscles in the body. During a CEPT, a medical professional seeks to find out the patient’s condition and this is also to make sure that they are comfortable through the whole session.
When it comes to picking the right facility, you need to choose one that offers expertise to support functional assessments, diagnosis, and treatment of various problems. The facility that you choose should have an excellent reputation for dealing with attorneys and doctors when it comes to facilitating those who want to get disability benefits. There is usually a process that is followed in getting disability benefits. A good facility should also have a team that is skilled and knowledgeable about their job. If the facility has an online presence, this offers an excellent opportunity to discover more about them. It is also from the site of the facility that you get to know the various areas where testing locations are situated.