“The six-minute walk test, or 6MWT

It is a simple and safe way for us to assess how well your child’s heart and lungs are working together during physical activity. It helps us understand how much your child’s heart condition might be affecting their ability to do everyday activities.

Here’s what happens during the test:

Preparation:

When you and your child come in for the test, they should wear comfortable clothes and shoes that are good for walking. We’ll also ask if they’ve taken any medications and if they’ve eaten recently, as these can affect the results. We’ll check your child’s vital signs, like heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, both before and after the test to see how they change during the activity.

The Test:

The test is very straightforward. Your child will be asked to walk back and forth along a flat, straight hallway or a marked area for six minutes. The goal is for them to walk as far as they can at a comfortable pace in that time. During the test, a healthcare provider will be nearby, keeping an eye on your child. If at any point your child feels tired, short of breath, or needs to stop, they can do so and rest before continuing. We’ll make sure they feel safe and supported the whole time.

Monitoring:

While your child is walking, we might measure their oxygen levels and heart rate using a small device that clips onto their finger. This helps us see how their body is responding to the exercise.

After the Test:

Once the six minutes are up, we’ll measure how far your child walked and check their vital signs again. We’ll also ask them how they’re feeling, such as whether they felt dizzy, tired, or short of breath. We compare the distance they walked to what we would expect for a child their age and size. This helps us understand if their heart condition is limiting their physical activity and by how much.

Why We Do This Test:

The 6MWT is useful because it gives us a practical idea of how well your child’s heart is functioning in everyday life, not just while they’re sitting still. It’s especially helpful for assessing conditions like heart failure, where the ability to exercise might be reduced. Based on the results, we can make decisions about whether your child needs any changes in their treatment or if we need to do more tests. It’s a very safe and easy test that helps us learn more about your child’s heart health in a way that’s similar to what they might do in daily life, like playing or walking at school. We’ll make sure your child is comfortable and supported throughout the test, and if you have any concerns, we’re here to help.