From the Research
The phenomenon described is called chronotropic incompetence or delayed heart rate recovery, which occurs when a patient's heart rate continues to increase abnormally during a six-minute walk test (6MWT) and takes longer than expected to return to baseline after resting. This condition is characterized by an abnormal heart rate response to exercise, which can be quantified by measuring heart rate at specific intervals during recovery (typically at 1-minute and 3-minutes post-exercise) 1.
Key Points
- Chronotropic incompetence or delayed heart rate recovery is associated with increased cardiovascular risk and mortality 1.
- The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is a useful tool for assessing functional capacity in patients with heart failure, and can provide valuable information about a patient's daily activity level and prognosis 2.
- Poor heart rate recovery after exercise is a significant predictor of cardiac events in patients with heart failure, and can be used to identify patients at high risk of adverse outcomes 1.
- The condition can be caused by various factors, including autonomic dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, deconditioning, or other medical conditions affecting the heart's ability to respond appropriately to exercise demands.
- Patients experiencing chronotropic incompetence or delayed heart rate recovery should be evaluated by a healthcare provider, as it may require further cardiac testing such as stress testing, echocardiography, or other cardiovascular assessments to determine the underlying cause and appropriate management 1, 3.