Understanding the 6-minute walk test

Walk tests (also called exercise tests) measure how able a person is to do simple exercise (walking). In the 6-minute walk test, you walk as far as you can up and down a corridor in 6 minutes. During walk tests your blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels are also measured. Walk tests can show how able you are to do everyday tasks and can provide clues to the cause of some symptoms of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Walk tests are also a good way to measure how effective your PH treatment is and if any changes to treatment are needed. You may have to do a walk test when you visit the PH clinic for a check-up.