ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis of differences in performance including differences in ST-T wave changes between healthy men and women submitted to an exercise stress test. Two hundred (45.4 percent) men and 241 (54.6 percent) women (mean age: 38.7 ¡À 11.0 years) were submitted to an exercise stress test. Physiologic and electrocardiographic variables were compared by the Student t-test and the chi-square test. To test the hypothesis of differences in ST-segment changes, data were ranked with functional models based on weighted least squares. To evaluate the influence of gender and age on the diagnosis of ST-segment abnormality, a logistic model was adjusted; P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. Rate-pressure product, duration of exercise and estimated functional capacity were higher in men (P < 0.05). Sixteen (6.7 percent) women and 9 (4.5 percent) men demonstrated ST-segment upslope ¡Ý0.15 mV or downslope ¡Ý0.10 mV; the difference was not statistically significant. Age increase of one year added 4 percent to the chance of upsloping of segment ST ¡Ý0.15 mV or downsloping of segment ST ¡Ý0.1 mV (P = 0.03; risk ratio = 1.040, 95 percent confidence interval (CI) = 1.002-1.080). Heart rate recovery was higher in women (P < 0.05). The chance of women showing an increase of systolic blood pressure ¡Ü30 mmHg was 85 percent higher (P = 0.01; risk ratio = 1.85, 95 percentCI = 1.1-3.05). No significant difference in the frequency of ST-T wave changes was observed between men and women. Other differences may be related to different physical conditioning.