The reproducibility of symptoms during a submaximal exercise test in chronic heart failure

Abstract

The use of the VAS during submaximal exercise offers a useful means of evaluating symptoms in CHF and potentially their response to treatment. These findings show that individual submaximal protocols can be easily prescribed for CHF patients. Using such an approach, clinically desirable tests lasting around 12 min can be developed. These tests are reasonably reproducible and may provide a useful means of assessing patient disability and the impact of treatment.