Which BP change constitutes a relative indication to stop during exercise testing?

Which BP change constitutes a relative indication to stop during exercise testing?

• A. A rise in DBP >20 mmHg
• B. A persistent drop in SBP >10 mmHg below baseline
• C. No change in BP
• D. A slight decrease in SBP

Answer: (B)

During exercise testing, how blood pressure responds to increasing workload is a key signal of how well the heart is pumping. If the systolic BP falls by more than about 10 mmHg from the baseline as the work rate rises, it indicates the heart isn’t able to meet the increased demand—perfusion may be compromised, and this is a relative reason to stop the test. This pattern is more concerning than a rise in diastolic pressure, no change, or only a slight decrease in systolic pressure, which can occur for other benign reasons and aren’t reliable stop signals. So the persistent drop in systolic BP below baseline as workload increases best identifies when to stop.

During exercise testing, how blood pressure responds to increasing workload is a key signal of how well the heart is pumping. If the systolic BP falls by more than about 10 mmHg from the baseline as the work rate rises, it indicates the heart isn’t able to meet the increased demand—perfusion may be compromised, and this is a relative reason to stop the test. This pattern is more concerning than a rise in diastolic pressure, no change, or only a slight decrease in systolic pressure, which can occur for other benign reasons and aren’t reliable stop signals. So the persistent drop in systolic BP below baseline as workload increases best identifies when to stop.