Diagnostics·Diagnostics
Six minute walk test
Informed by recognized medical guidance
Overview
The six-minute walk test is a simple, low-cost test that measures how far you can walk on a flat, hard surface in six minutes. It helps your healthcare team understand your functional exercise capacity — how well your heart, lungs, and muscles work together during physical activity.
Key facts
- The test is safe and does not require special equipment.
- It is often used to monitor conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary hypertension, and heart failure.
- A shorter walking distance may indicate more severe disease or a poorer prognosis, but improvement over time can mean treatment is working.
The six-minute walk test is a standard evaluation used in many hospitals and clinics around the world, especially for people with lung or heart conditions.
The test is given to people of all ages, including children and older adults, who have symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, or reduced exercise tolerance due to a chronic condition.