Exercise Capacity and Mortality among Men Referred for Exercise Testing

In this study, more than 6000 men, some with and some without cardiovascular disease, underwent treadmill exercise testing and were followed for six years. Exercise capacity, as measured in metabolic equivalents, was a strong predictor of overall mortality, whether or not there was clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease. More than 6000 men underwent exercise testing and were followed for six years. Exercise capacity was a strong predictor of overall mortality. During the past two decades, exercise capacity and activity status have become well-established predictors of cardiovascular and overall mortality. 1 , 2 The fact that exercise capacity is a strong and independent predictor of outcomes supports the value of the exercise test as a clinical tool; it is noninvasive, is relatively inexpensive, and provides a wealth of clinically relevant diagnostic and prognostic information. 3 , 4 However, recent guidelines 4 and commentaries on the topic 5 , 6 have identified several areas related to the prognostic usefulness of exercise testing that are in need of further study. For example, the majority of previous studies have not clearly . . .