ABSTRACT
Several tests are available for assessing cardiovascular response to various interventions which may be given in the laboratory, or outside of it in the field. The tests are meant to excite or deactivate cardiovascular and other sensory receptors which signal the central mechanisms. They have been found useful in generating data to study cardiovascular effects on subjects exposed to specialized physical training (e.g., athletes), in the evaluation of people engaged in special occupations such as pilots, astronauts, and other military personnel, and in training undergraduate and postgraduate students. If the response does not fit into the physiological norm, it may reflect a temporary aberration, or a more serious defect in the cardiovascular control mechanism because of disease. Interpretation of data generated may vary between various operators/observers. Here, an attempt has been made to bring out responses of the cardiovascular system to the commonly used tests, and their applicability in clinical situations.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the beta blocker effect on excercise ability and hemodynamics after cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP). METHOD: Thirty-two patients with coronary artery disease were divided into two groups: 16 patients in the beta blocker group and 16 patients in the control group. CRP with aerobic exercise was done for 6 weeks. Before and after CRP, a symptom limited graded exercise test was done. RESULTS: The maximal exercise time and the maximal oxygen uptake were significantly higher, and the percentage of maximal oxygen uptake and the rating of perceived exertion were significantly lower after CRP as compared to those parameters before CRP in both groups (p 0.05). The submaximal heart rate and submaximal rate pressure product (RPP) were significantly lower after CRP as compared to those before CRP in both groups (p<0.05). After CRP, the maximal heart rate and the submaximal RPP were significantly lower in the beta blocker group than in control (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: A beta blocker can be widely used in CRP without having a negative effect on exercise capacity in the patients with coronary artery disease.