Correlation between Exercise Stress Test and Echocardiographic Parameters in Elderly Individuals

Psychological State after an Acute Coronary Syndrome: Impact of Physical Limitations

“…The latter possibility includes physical fatigue, progressive angina, dizziness or instability, a progressive drop in blood pressure, an excessive increase in blood pressure (>250/130 mmHg), major changes in heart rhythm, ST depression >4 mm, or ST increase >2 mm in the absence of a previous heart attack. This level of effort is measured using the metabolic equivalent (METS) [ 5 ]. Based on the test result, patients can be classified into three groups according to their degree of physical activity: patients that with more than 10 METS (group A) are considered without physical limitations, those scoring between 7 and 9 METS (group B) are at an intermediate level with some physical limitations (cannot perform hard efforts but only light efforts), and those scoring under 6 METS (group C) have serious limitations (they can perform only light efforts).…”

“…Thus, before discharge from the hospital, patients are informed that in their daily life they should limit their efforts depending on their physical state, assessed by an ergometric approach, such as the Bruce protocol. Physical effort is measured using the metabolic equivalent of a task (METS) [ 5 ]. Thus, based on the test result, patients can be classified according to their degree of physical function.…”