Electrocardiographic Changes in Clinically Normal Older Men Following Near Maximal and Maximal Exercise

This study was undertaken to compare the incidence of electrocardiographic abnormalities associated with a near maximal and a maximal exercise test, because of previous reports of high incidence of such abnormalities among older men.One hundred fourteen male volunteers ranging in age from 40 to 75 years were studied by both near maximal and maximal exercise testing. All subjects were considered normal by history and physical examination. Electrocardiographic responses to exercise testing were monitored by telemetered bipolar leads during and immediately after exercise and by standard electrocardiographic leads made during the recovery period between 30 seconds and 5 minutes after the termination of exercise. Both near maximal and maximal exercise testing were accomplished without significant complication. The incidence of segmental ST depression following the near-maximal test was less than 1%. The incidence of segmental ST depression following the maximal exercise test was 5.2% (6-114). Only one of the five abnormalities detected during or after maximal exercise persisted for more than 30 seconds after the conclusion of exercise. Since such changes occur in a high percentage of patients with heart disease, such changes appear to have a high degree of specificity for some form of cardiac abnormality.