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Cardiolucent

Diagnostics

VO2 Max Testing

The single best predictor of cardiovascular fitness and longevity. VO2 max measured directly with cardiopulmonary exercise testing using an FDA-approved closed-system gold-standard COSMED K5 wearable metabolic system.

What is VO2 Max?

The most reliable measure of how well your body uses oxygen.

VO2 max is the maximum rate at which your body can take in, deliver, and use oxygen during peak exertion. Decades of research show it's one of the strongest predictors of cardiovascular fitness and long-term mortality risk — stronger than smoking status, blood pressure, or cholesterol.

A direct VO2 max test gives you a precise number, not an estimate from a smartwatch or treadmill formula. The COSMED K5 can be used to directly measure your oxygen-carrying capacity. This information can be used to calculate training zones for building an exercise training program.

The COSMED K5 wearable metabolic system used for VO2 max testing at Cardiolucent
A patient performing a VO2 max test on a stationary bike while wearing the COSMED K5 metabolic system

What to Expect

A 30-minute test that measures every breath.

You wear a lightweight harness and a comfortable, leak-free silicone mask connected to the COSMED K5. You will exercise on a treadmill under medical supervision while the K5 collects and analyzes the oxygen and carbon dioxide content of every breath in real time.

  • Direct breath-by-breath gas exchange measurement
  • Continuous heart-rate, blood-pressure, and EKG monitoring
  • Ventilatory threshold and anaerobic threshold determination
  • Substrate utilization (fat vs. carbohydrate at each intensity)
  • Real-time results review with Dr. Kedan

What You Get

Numbers you can train against.

Your VO2 max number

Measured in mL O2/kg/min, with percentile ranking against age- and sex-matched norms.

Personalized training zones

Maximum Heart-Rate and Power Zones derived from your actual ventilatory thresholds — not generic 220-minus-age formulas.

Cardiovascular risk context

How your fitness contributes to your overall cardiovascular risk profile, integrated with your imaging, lipid, and metabolic data.

Close-up of the COSMED K5 device used for breath-by-breath metabolic measurement

Who VO2 max testing is for.

  • Health-conscious adults focused on longevity and proactive cardiovascular care
  • Athletes and active adults seeking precise training zones and benchmark data
  • Patients with cardiovascular disease tracking the impact of medical therapy and rehabilitation
  • Adults over 40 establishing a fitness baseline before symptoms develop
  • Anyone whose smartwatch estimate doesn't match how they feel, and who wants a real number

Tested by a cardiologist, not a technician.

Most VO2 max tests are administered by a tech and interpreted later. At Cardiolucent, Dr. Kedan personally supervises every test and reviews your results with you. A comprehensive report will be stored on your file and given to you for your future use and record keeping.

Special Launch Price

$425

per VO2 max test

Concierge members and existing Cardiolucent patients can call for a reduced membership rate.

Schedule an AppointmentCall (310) 304-5555

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a VO2 max test and what does it measure?
A VO2 max test is a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) that measures the maximum rate at which your body can take in, deliver, and use oxygen during peak exertion. At Cardiolucent, we measure it directly breath-by-breath using the COSMED K5 wearable metabolic system rather than estimating it from a smartwatch or treadmill formula. The result, reported in mL O2/kg/min, is one of the strongest known predictors of cardiovascular fitness and long-term mortality risk.
How much does a VO2 max test cost in Beverly Hills?
Cardiolucent offers a special launch price of $425 per VO2 max test. Concierge members and existing Cardiolucent patients can call (310) 304-5555 for a reduced membership rate. Because Cardiolucent is a concierge practice, the test is paid for directly and is not billed through Medicare or commercial insurance.
How long does a VO2 max test take?
Plan on about 30 minutes for the test itself, plus time for setup, baseline measurements, and a same-visit review of your results with Dr. Kedan. You will exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike at progressively increasing intensity while wearing a lightweight harness and silicone mask connected to the COSMED K5.
Who should get a VO2 max test?
VO2 max testing is appropriate for health-conscious adults focused on longevity, athletes who want precise heart-rate and power training zones, patients with known cardiovascular disease tracking their response to therapy, and adults over 40 establishing a fitness baseline before symptoms develop. It is also valuable for anyone whose smartwatch estimate does not match how they actually feel and who wants a real, measured number.
What do I walk away with after a VO2 max test at Cardiolucent?
You leave with your measured VO2 max number and percentile ranking against age- and sex-matched norms, personalized heart-rate and power training zones based on your actual ventilatory thresholds, and your cardiovascular risk context integrated with your imaging and labs. Dr. Kedan reviews everything with you in real time on the same visit.
How is a VO2 max test different from the estimate on my Apple Watch or Garmin?
Wearables estimate VO2 max indirectly using heart-rate response to submaximal activity and proprietary algorithms, and the error band can be large. A direct CPET with the COSMED K5 measures the actual oxygen and carbon dioxide content of every breath during graded exercise, which is the gold-standard methodology used in exercise physiology research. The result is a precise number you can train against, not a moving target.
Who supervises the test and reads the results?
Dr. Ilan Kedan, a Cedars-Sinai-affiliated cardiologist, personally supervises every VO2 max test at Cardiolucent and reviews the results with you on the same visit. Most VO2 max tests at commercial fitness labs are run by a technician and read later. At Cardiolucent, the physician who interprets your data is the one in the room with you.
How should I prepare for a VO2 max test?
Wear comfortable athletic clothing and supportive running or cycling shoes, eat a light meal 2-3 hours before, hydrate well, and avoid heavy exercise, caffeine, and alcohol for at least a few hours beforehand. Bring a list of medications. If you use an inhaler or have any cardiac history, let the office know in advance so Dr. Kedan can plan the test protocol accordingly.
How often should I repeat a VO2 max test?
Most patients re-test every 6-12 months to track the impact of their training plan and any cardiovascular therapy. Athletes inside a structured training block may test every 3-4 months at key inflection points. Serial testing is where the prescription becomes most powerful, because each measurement refines your zones and the next phase of your plan.
How do I schedule a VO2 max test?
Call Cardiolucent at (310) 304-5555 to book a VO2 max test at the Beverly Hills office, or use the contact form on the website. Existing patients and concierge members should mention their membership when booking to apply the reduced rate.

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Medical Disclaimer

The information on this site is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this site does not create a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance. If this is an emergency, call 911. Mentions of medications, devices, or procedures are informational and not endorsements. Full medical disclaimer.

†Some listed indications involve investigational/off-label use. Learn more.