Doctor Ho Thi Tuyet Mai, Cardiology Department, Tam Anh General Hospital TP HCM, states that many individuals experience fainting or heart attacks while playing sports, despite having normal cardiovascular health check-up results beforehand. This occurs because some functional disorders of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems only manifest when the body operates at high capacity. Meanwhile, routine diagnostic procedures such as electrocardiograms and echocardiograms performed at rest may not detect these abnormalities.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) simultaneously evaluates heart, lung, and circulatory function during physical activity. It aids in the early detection of potential abnormalities, assesses cardiovascular risk, and determines safe exercise limits.

CPET is particularly beneficial for athletes and individuals who regularly engage in sports. It also helps identify the causes of unexplained shortness of breath, chest pain, or reduced exercise capacity. For people with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or bronchial asthma, the test helps assess exercise capacity, treatment effectiveness, develop rehabilitation programs, and predict risks before major surgeries.

Athletes undergoing CPET to determine appropriate exercise intensity at Tam Anh General Hospital. *Photo: Trung Vu*

During the test, the individual will cycle on an ergometer or run on a treadmill with gradually increasing loads. The system continuously records respiratory, metabolic, and cardiovascular indicators such as VO₂, VCO₂, electrocardiogram, blood pressure, and SpO₂. This allows doctors to identify the cause of shortness of breath, chest pain, or reduced exercise capacity, and then recommend suitable treatment and training plans.

Before performing the test, doctors will conduct an examination and evaluate any contraindications. Patients should wear comfortable clothing, eat a light meal two to three hours beforehand, avoid alcohol, tobacco, and stimulants for at least 12 hours prior to the test, and strictly adhere to the doctor's medication instructions.

Currently, cardiopulmonary exercise testing is implemented in several large centers in Vietnam, including Tam Anh General Hospital.

Thu Ha