Exercise Stress Testing: The Importance of Accurate Blood Pressure Measurement

Exercise stress testing began in the 1920s as researchers noticed changes in the ECG readings of patients suffering from angina. Over time and after thousands of examinations, clinicians were able to equate certain ECG waveform shapes and testing parameters (heart rate, blood pressure, exertion effort, and time) to abnormalities and pathologies. Today, the value of exercise stress testing for the prognostic assessment of patients is well accepted (Gibbons et al., 2002). In general terms, exercise stress testing is used to gauge how well the heart works when it has to pump harder and use more oxygen. As a patient walks on a treadmill or rides a stationary bike, exercise intensity is increased in order to mimic the strain placed on the heart when arteries are blocked or narrowed.