CPET – Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test
By Caroline Christian Suppose you have been diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). In that case, you may already know that the cardinal symptom is post-exertional malaise (PEM), also called post-exertional symptom exacerbation (PESE). Approximately 50% of people with long COVID also experience PEM/PESE and meet the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. Post-exertional malaise, or […]
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET or CPX) is a non-invasive, sensitive test to evaluate cardiopulmonary pathophysiology. CPET assesses functional capacity and exercise intolerance and plays a valuable role in diagnosis and clinical decision-making. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), American Thoracic Society/American College of Chest Physicians (ATS/ACCP), American Heart Association (AHA), and European Respiratory Society […]
This year has been a remarkable one for us at Workwell Foundation. Our success is made possible by people like you who support us. Donations have played a role in advancing our mission, which is focused on providing disability evaluations for and research on fatiguing illnesses, such as myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and long […]
If you have myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), you’ve probably heard of the 2-day cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) protocol pioneered by Workwell Foundation. CPET is an objective tool that can document functional capacity and impairment for disability purposes and provides valuable information to guide pacing and energy conservation strategies. CPET measures how well your […]
Exercise is essential in preventing, treating, and rehabilitating many diseases. Research has repeatedly shown that physical activity improves quality of life and lifespan. It’s no wonder why most doctors encourage patients to do more. But is exercise good for everyone? While the health benefits are indisputable, there are some diseases for which exercise – as […]
Workwell Foundation recently teamed up with Daniel Lee, the co-founder and CEO of STAT Health, to test an exciting new in-ear wearable device that tracks blood flow to the head. Many people with ME/CFS and long COVID report worsening orthostatic symptoms (i.e., when upright) during post-exertional malaise (PEM) crashes. Workwell and STAT Health hope to […]
Do you feel like your quality of life has been declining due to unexplained fatigue? Is fatigue impairing your ability to function normally or work? If so, you’re not alone. Fatigue is a common symptom in many illnesses. Understanding the cause can rule out various conditions and point to treatment options. Fatigue can be a […]
If you have Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) or Long COVID, you may be susceptible to post-exertional symptom exacerbation (PESE). PESE worsens symptoms and decreases function after physical, cognitive, or emotional effort. PESE, also referred to as post-exertional malaise (PEM), is a hallmark feature of ME/CFS and also commonly found in people with long COVID. […]
Measuring Functional Deficits in PEM/PESE: An In-Depth Look at the Development and Properties of a New Survey Tool Are you, or someone you know, experiencing post-exertional malaise (PEM), also called post-exertional symptom exacerbation (PESE)? PEM/PESE refers to a delayed worsening of symptoms after physical, cognitive, or emotional stress. PEM/PESE is the hallmark feature of myalgic […]
Living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) or long COVID can present significant challenges that affect physical and cognitive well-being. These debilitating conditions can leave people unable to function normally due to fatigue, impaired cognition, disrupted sleep, and increased pain. ME/CFS is characterized by a unique condition called post-exertional malaise (PEM), sometimes called post-exertional symptom […]
