Exercise Prescription in Cardiac Rehabilitation

Patients assigned to one of two intervention groups will complete a GXT prior to the 4th CR session. The GXT will be completed in Baystate Medical Center's stress lab using standard protocols. This test will be used to set the target heart rate range, which will guide exercise intensity for the remainder of exercise training in cardiac rehabilitation.

Heart rate monitors (HRM) will be given to half of the patients randomly assigned to exercise stress testing group. Patients will receive a polar heart rate chest strap and polar watch. Patients will be asked to wear both, the chest strap and the watch during cardiac rehabilitation. Ultimately, we hope that the use of HRM is not necessary, but it may be needed to assure that patients in the THHR are able to consistently know their HR and adjust their exercise prescription. This will also increase the likelihood that there is a difference in heart rates between the THRR group from the RPE group.