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Treadmill test is limited in elderly patients with peripheral arterial disease
N Wolosker1, Raphael M Ritti-Dias, L C Câmara
1School of Physical Education, University of Pernambuco, Santo Amaro, BR Recife, Brazil.
Background:
To describe the applicability and the performance of the treadmill test in elderly patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and without PAD (non-PAD).
Patients And Methods:
Fifty consecutive PAD and non-PAD elderly patients performed a progressive treadmill test. The proportion of patients who were unable to perform the test and the maximal walking distance were obtained.
Results:
The proportion of patients who were unable to perform the treadmill test was similar between PAD (16.6 %) and non-PAD patients (12.5 %), P = .57. Maximal walking time for patients who performed the treadmill test was not different between PAD (232 +/- 218 s) and non-PAD patients (308 +/- 289 s), P = .37.
Conclusions:
The treadmill test is limited in almost 20 % of elderly patients with PAD and non-PAD. These results highlight the need for other forms of exercise stress tests in order to assess the peripheral limitation of patients with PAD.
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Exercise Stress Test
Exercise stress testing, commonly known as a treadmill test, is a noninvasive procedure used to evaluate cardiovascular function and diagnose heart conditions.
Definition
An exercise stress test measures the heart's response to exertion using a treadmill or stationary bicycle. Chest electrodes record the heart's electrical activity through an ECG, and blood pressure is monitored regularly.
Purposes
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Peripheral Artery Disease III: Interprofessional Care
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction
Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests
Peripheral Artery Disease IV: Nursing Management

