The analysis of data obtained during cardiopulmonary test at rest and during progressively increasing work rate exercise testing can be used to determine accurately cardiac functioning and cell respiration. The cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) should be carried out according to the detailed description of testing procedures. The pre-test provides the patient with practical trials and instruction. The next stages of the testing are: the rest (preparing the patients, resting spirometry), warm-up (resting metabolism), exercise of incremental work rate, recovery. The aim of the paper is to present the main parameters: maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), anaerobic threshold (AT), threshold of the decompensated metabolic acidosis (TDMA), heart rate reserve, oxygen pulse (O2-puls), tidal volume (VT), breathing reserve, physiologic dead space and tidal volume ratio (VD/VT). Our objective is to familiarize the reader with the most modern examination methods which allow for evaluation of disorders in cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. CPX eliminates subjective evaluation which makes easy the diagnosis and estimation of the results of the treatment of many diseases.