The electrocardiogram after standard exercise as a functional test of the heart

Abstract An objective test of cardiac function is of importance in distinguishing functional from organic heart disease. It is useful in diagnosis and is helpful in studying the progress of disease and the degree of physical disability. It is of particular value when other examinations of the heart are negative, i.e., physical examination, electrocardiogram, fluoroscopy, exercise tolerance test, etc. The test to be described in this report consists of recording an electrocardiogram after a definite amount of work, standardized for the patient's age, sex, and weight. 1–4 It is essential to utilize a standard amount of work; for even healthy persons, if they exercise to excess, may have abnormal electrocardiographic responses. 5–10 It is therefore important that the exertion to which the patient is subjected will not produce abnormal electrocardiographic changes in any healthy person. This has been verified for the standard two-step test. In addition to recording the electrocardiogram after the two-step test, the patient's exercise tolerance can be measured in the ordinary way, that is, by obtaining blood pressure and pulse rate readings before and after exercise. 1, 2