Exercise Tests for Coronary and Asymptomatic Patients

In brief If typical angina pectoris occurs HMM during an exercise test, the probmam ability of angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD) is very high. If there is atypical chest pain but no electrocardiographic changes, the patient can be reassured that the probability of disease is low and that he or she can exercise safely. An asymptomatic individual with a mildly abnormal test should be allowed to do any activity. If the test is mildly abnormal and the patient can perform at a high exercise level, activity should be limited only by symptoms. If systolic blood pressure during exercise drops to below standing rest blood pressure, there is a three-fold higher risk of CAD. If the patient has symptoms at a low exercise level, it is wise to recommend exercise below that level.