VO2Max exercise stress test

[Pat__0__0]

  I have dilated cardiomyopathy and CHF diagnosed 3/95;  my Ejection fraction has improved from below 20 to 49 since I have been taking Coreg and Vasotec;  I had 2 exercise stress tests in 1997,  in January my reading was 5.9 which prompted a referral for a transplant evaluation, where they repeated the test and said the number was 12.9;  since then after the improvement in Ejection fraction, I had another exercise stress test (cardiopulmonary) and my number was between 13 and 14, which does not seem an improvement in light of the EF increase,  what would be an average finding on that VO2 max test for a 55 year old female?  Pat
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Dear  Pat,
Topic Area: Heart Failure
VO2 is the amount of oxygen your body is consuming.  The peak level is a measurement what the maximum your body can do.   A similar measurement is  a metabolic equivalent unit (MET).  1 MET = 3.5 VO2 and is the amount of energy your body spends at rest.  A chart below gives averages for men and women at the Cleveland Clinic for maximum workloads.  To convert to VO2 multiply each MET by 3.5.  Thus an average score for a 55 yo woman is between 24.5 and 31.5

Table 12. Work Capacity Classifications, Age and Sex

Women
Age Low Fair Average Good High
20 - 29 16
30 - 39 15
40 - 49 14
50 - 59 13
60 - 69 11.5
Men
Age Low Fair Average Good High
20 - 29 17
30 - 39 16
40 - 49 15
50 - 59 14
60 - 69 13
Information provided here is for general educational purposes only. Only your doctor can provide specific diagnoses and treatments. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please Call 1 - 800 - CCF - CARE for an appointment at Desk F15 with a cardiologist.