Purpose: The objectives of this review were to: (1) identify the acute cardiovascular responses to aerobic exercise used in an exercise stress test (EST), (2) identify when and how to best conduct an EST including the stopping point, (3) identify conditions that would preclude an EST, (4) define the limiting signs and symptoms associated with an EST (5), discuss what data are needed as part of an EST and how to interpret EST data.
Methods:We identify the cardiovascular responses to an EST and when an EST should or should not be used. Finally we analyze the components of an EST and potential sensitivities, significances and predictability of the changes in the outcome data that will provide diagnosis overt cardiovascular disease, and for purposes of exercise prescription and evaluation of rehabilitation effects in cardiac patients.Results: Although most of the focus for performing an EST traditionally has been on the diagnostic value to identify ST-segment abnormalities, an EST provides other valuable diagnostic and prognostic data including maximal oxygen consumption (predicted or measured), exercise capacity and fatigability, blood pressure and heart rate responses to exercise and recovery.
Conclusions:This review identifies the most recent standards, and guidelines of EST, which include the acute physiological response of the cardiovascular system to aerobic exercise, the use of EST in evaluation of coronary artery disease, an updated diagnostic and prognostic variables of EST, and reporting of EST.