It is safer, easier to administer, better tolerated, and better reflects activities of daily living than other walk tests (such as the shuttle walk test). The primary measurement is 6-min walk distance (6MWD), but during the 6MWT data can also be collected about the patient’s blood oxygen saturation and perception of dyspnea during exertion.

A healthy person should be able to walk between 400 to 700 meters in 6 minutes. Patients with pulmonary hypertension have limitation in walking distance according to the severity of pulmonary hypertension. A target goal of effectiveness of pulmonary hypertension therapy is 6 min walk distance of more than 380 meters.