6-Minute Walk Test: A Doctor Explains Its Use For Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Everyone’s exercise tolerance is different. It refers to the body's ability to perform physical activities without experiencing too much fatigue, shortness of breath, or other symptoms. Various factors, including age, fitness level, underlying medical conditions, and genetics, can impact it. 

In this article, we will discuss a tool that helps assess a person’s exercise capacity and tolerance and with the help of Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan, Consultant And Head – CTVS, Manipal Hospital, Gurugram, we will learn how it can prove helpful for patients with chronic heart failure.

Also Read: Is Your Heart In Good Shape? 5 Important Tests That Can Tell You

What Is Chronic Heart Failure?

“Chronic heart failure is a widespread cardiovascular issue that affects millions of people worldwide,” says Dr Chauhan. It is a condition where the heart's pumping ability weakens over time, making it difficult for the heart to effectively supply the body with oxygen and nutrients. 

According to a study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), heart failure remains a high prevalence disease among older adults with a significant risk of death at one year.

The ICC - National Heart Failure Registry (NHFR) says heart failure is the most common cardiac cause for hospitalisation with 1% of the general population being affected every year, which is equal to 80 lakh to one crore patients. 

“One significant challenge faced by doctors is determining chronic heart failure in advance and assessing the patient's heart,” notes Dr Chauhan, adding, “The six-minute walk test has emerged as a valuable tool for monitoring a patient’s exercise capacity. This is a simple test developed by the American Thoracic Society in 2002 that provides insights into the patient’s heart capacity and further helps to determine heart health.”

Also Read: Are You At Risk Of Heart Attack? 5 Factors That Make You More Prone

6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT)

The 6MWT is a tool that determines how far a person can walk in 6 minutes on a hard surface. “It is an effective test for measuring the response of all body systems used when exercising. The respiratory and cardiovascular systems, blood circulation, and muscle movement are examples of these,” Dr Chauhan explains. 

During the test, an individual is asked to walk as far as they can in six minutes along a straight, flat corridor while vital indicators such as heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation are monitored to measure the patient's safety and physiological response, according to the doctor. Patients are encouraged to walk at their own pace, with the option to rest or slow down as needed. 

How are the results interpreted? The distance covered by a person is calculated by multiplying the number of lengths by the distance of the track. Higher values indicate better heart and lung function, whereas a shorter distance indicates poor exercise tolerance. Dr Chauhan says, “Adults can walk between 400 and 700 metres in a 6-minute walk test on average. Your results will be compared to those of others of your age, gender, weight, and height. To evaluate the results, the doctor will also consider factors such as underlying health issues and the results of a previous 6-minute walk for CHF tests.

Effective Method To Determine Exercise Capacity In Chronic Heart Failure

Dr Chauhan notes that the 6MWT is an effective method for determining exercise capacity in people with chronic heart failure. Not only is it non-invasive, safe, but also low-cost, he says, concluding, “It is a great way for doctors to gain insights into a patient's functional ability and response to treatment, which helps improve the quality of a patient's life.”