Breathlessness and fatigue are the characteristic symptoms of chronic heart failure (CHF). Their quantification during submaximal exercise may be of value in the evaluation of patient disability and the impact of drug treatment. Since these symptoms are commonly experienced during the submaximal levels of exercise involved in everyday activities, it was deemed appropriate to assess subjective scales during submaximal exercise and to compare physiological variables with these subjective scales to establish if any relationship existed between them. Exercise testing in cardiology is commonplace and encompasses a variety of exercise protocols and subjects with wide ranging fitness capability. A new exercise protocol (STEXT protocol) has been developed which accommodates a wide range of fitness levels within a relatively short time period. Thus, it was considered appropriate to evaluate the symptomatic and physiological responses to this protocol. This thesis is based on a series of studies which were designed to investigate the role of exercise testing in cardiology. The primary aims of the three studies reported in this thesis were to examine the reproducibility and (where appropriate) sensitivity to change of subjective scales for breathlessness and general fatigue. The sensitivity of the subjective scales was assessed using beta blockade to promote a sensation of breathlessness and general fatigue. In addition, an examination of a possible link between physiological variables and the subjective scales was carried out. The impact of beta blockade on physiological variables was also examined.
PDF
download
878987797
028-85220240
