Abstract
The use of exercise testing has expanded in recent decades and there is a wealth of information examining the prognostic significance of exercise variables, such as peak oxygen consumption or ventilatory measures whilst exercising. However, a paucity of research has investigated the use of recovery-derived parameters after exercise cessation. Heart rate recovery (HRR) has been considered a measure of the function of the autonomic nervous system and its dysfunction is associated with cardiovascular risk. We aim to provide an overview of the literature surrounding HRR and its prognostic significance in patients with cardiovascular disease undertaking an exercise test. In December 2020, searches of PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect were performed using key search terms and Boolean operators. Articles were manually screened and selected as per the inclusion criteria. Nineteen articles met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Disagreement exists in methodologies used for measuring and assessing HRR. However, HRR provides prognostic mortality information for use in clinical practice. HRR is a simple, non-invasive measure which independently predicts mortality in patients with heart failure and coronary artery disease; HRR should be routinely incorporated into clinical exercise testing.
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