Questions posted in the Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Subject: Re: metabolic equivalent unit (mets) formula
Forum: The Heart Forum

Topic Area: Stress Test

Posted by George on August 07, 1999 at 20:01:26PHi, In july I had a stress test on bruce protocol treadmill.Doctor gave me all test results except for the mets.These are the results of the treadmill bruce stress test. Event Time Speed Grade HR BP rest 99 144/80 stage 1 3:00 1.7 10 121 160/80 stage 2 3:00 2.5 12 136 stage 3 3:00 3.4 14 154 182/82 stage 4 3:00 4.2 16 168 stage 5 2:34 5.0 18 185 stop ex. 14.34 Interpretation: The patient exercised for 14.34 minutes on a standard Bruce protocol and stopped because of fatigue.The HR rose to 185 beats and the BP rose to 182/82.He denied any chest discomfort.There were no significant ST segment change.Summary 1.Negative exercise EKG 2.Excellent exercise capacity. According to the above stress test results, how many METS did I achieve? What is the formula for METS in stress testing?Thank you.George By away I am 35 years old male weigh 166 pounds and 5'11 feet tall.PPHR WIDTH=75% SIZE=4 COLOR=#000090Posted by CCF CARDIO MD JMF on August 08, 1999 at 14:57:36PbrDear Gerge,pMETS or metabolic equivalents are estimated by the work load estimated at 14 minutes of a standard bruce protocol in your case. p1 MET is equivalent to 3.5 ml of oxygen per kilogram body weight per minute. 14 minutes into a bruce protocol, you are walking 5.0 mph on an 18 % grade this is the equivalent of 16 - 17 mets. or about 60 ml/kg/min of oxygen consumption. In general, we do not ask people to exercise at more than 5 mets for cardiovascular benefit.pSound like you're in great shape! Keep up the good work!ppI hope this has been usefPosted by George on August 08, 1999 at 17:01:59


You said that achieved 16-17 mets at 14 minutes 5.0mph and 18% grade. How did you get that result, that is a 16-17 mets?What is the formula for mets in tradmill stress testing? Thank you. George


Posted by CCF CARDIO MD JMF on August 09, 1999 at 08:06:22

Dear George,

This is not calculated, it is the estimate of the work load that is required to complete this type of activity ( walking on a treadmill at a particular grade and speed). It is an estimate derived from population studies.
For your own exact number of METS you would need a Metabolic exercise test which would measure your oxygen consumption at exercise.

I hope this helps..





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