Cardiorespiratory Fitness Assessment
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET)
A CPET is an exercise stress test that measures how your heart, lungs, and muscles work together during exercise. While exercising, you wear a mouthpiece that measures oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and breathing patterns. A baseline pulmonary function test is performed before exercise begins. For athletes, CPET also measures VO2 max and ventilatory thresholds, providing valuable information about aerobic fitness and helping guide individualized training.
What CPET measures
CPET measures how your heart, lungs, and muscles work together during exercise. By looking at cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic responses together, it shows how efficiently your body delivers and uses oxygen to produce the energy your muscles need.
VO2 Max — the maximum rate at which your body can consume oxygen during exercise — is one of the most well-studied markers in medicine. Higher VO2 Max is associated with lower cardiovascular risk, lower all-cause mortality, and better long-term health outcomes across virtually every measured endpoint.
CPET also identifies specific limitations: whether the heart, the lungs, or peripheral factors are limiting your performance. For patients being evaluated for unexplained shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, or who want a precise baseline of fitness, CPET offers information no other test provides..
One-on-one with our exercise physiologists
CPET at The Lown Group is conducted with onsite exercise physiologists who guide you through the test and interpret the results in the context of your health goals.
This level of personalized attention is uncommon in Boston cardiology practices. For members pursuing a specific fitness goal, returning to activity after a cardiac event, or seeking a sophisticated baseline, our exercise physiology team provides something closer to the standard of care in sports medicine — delivered within an integrated cardiovascular practice.
What to expect
Duration
CPETs are booked for 1 hour.
Preparation
Wear comfortable athletic clothing and training shoes. Typically, patients are asked to fast and avoid caffeine 2-3 hours before the test.
During the test
A baseline pulmonary function test is performed first. You then exercise on a stationary bike while wearing a mouthpiece that measures oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, and breathing patterns. Cardiac rhythm is monitored throughout.
Your results
Your ordering Lown Group provider will review the results in full detail with you, including VO2 max, ventilatory thresholds, any factors limiting exercise capacity, and specific recommendations tailored to your fitness and health goals.
All testing, labs, and clinical services are billed to insurance and not included in the membership fee.
Learn about membership
Our membership includes a thoughtful onboarding process to ensure The Lown Group is the right fit for your care needs. Our team is available to answer questions.
