Use of the 6-Minute Walk Test for Women With Diastolic Heart Failure

How to diagnose heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: the HFA–PEFF diagnostic algorithm: a consensus recommendation from the Heart Failure Association (HFA) of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)

“…Reduced exercise capacity can be defined as a peak workload ≤75% of the value predicted for age. In elderly patients with suspected HFpEF a 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) distance ≤300 m can be considered abnormal 193 but 6MWT performance is affected by non‐cardiac as well as cardiopulmonary conditions 193 , 194 …”

“…Primary and secondary forms of hypertension 112 distance ≤300 m can be considered abnormal 193 but 6MWT performance is affected by non-cardiac as well as cardiopulmonary conditions. 193,194 In selected cases, advanced cardiopulmonary exercise testing with spiro-ergometry may be performed. Reduced exercise capacity is defined as a peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 max) ≤20 mL/kg/min, and ventilatory inefficiency as a VE/VCO 2 slope ≥30.…”

A Review of the Six-Minute Walk Test: Its Implication as a Self-Administered Assessment Tool

“…The responsiveness or sensitivity to change assesses the ability of a test to measure change over time or the ability to measure the effectiveness of treatment. (38) In one study, the 6MWT was found to be more sensitive in evaluating the effectiveness of an exercise intervention compared to Duke Activity Scale Index (DASI) (r=-0.42). (40) In the RESOLVD pilot study the standardized means were statistically significant for participants who were receiving candesartan and enalapril.…”

“…However, the submaximal exercise tests and their applications have been less well developed and is an important area for future research. (38) We postulate that the 6MWT could potentially be adapted as a selfadministered test for the following reasons, The 6MWT is a widely acceptable self-paced submaximal exercise test in conditions, such as moderate to severe CHF where maximal exercise testing is contraindicated or where access to equipment is limited. Further, the 6MWT is likely to be less intimidating in older people, particularly women.…”

“…Further, the 6MWT is likely to be less intimidating in older people, particularly women. (38) In people with severe CHF, the 6MWT provides prognostic information on morbidity and mortality, reflecting physical function aspect of HRQoL in measuring impairment. As discussed above, the reliability, validity and responsiveness of the 6MWT have been extensively tested in clinical settings.…”