Monitoring Cardiac Patients: How Much Is Enough?

In brief

ECG monitoring is generally recommended for patients in cardiac rehabilitation, but the optimal amount of monitoring is uncertain. This article reviews several questions regarding this issue. The authors conclude that monitoring during exercise testing is necessary to determine an appropriate exercise prescription for all cardiac patients, but additional monitoring is not indicated during upper extremity as opposed to lower extremity exercise. They also believe that all patients entering exercise programs soon after hospital discharge should be monitored for at least seven weeks, and preferably 12. Periodic monitoring is useful for recognizing potential problems and evaluating long-term medication effectiveness.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Paul S. Fardy

Dr. Fardy is program director, Ms. Doll is testing coordinator, and Mr. Taylor is an exercise specialist at the Cardiac Rehabilitation and Physical Fitness Center at St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago, Indiana. Dr. Williams is program director of the Cardiac Canter at Creighton University Medical School at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha. Dr. Fardy is a fellow, and Ms. Doll, Mr. Taylor, and Dr. Williams are members of the American College ofSports Medicine.

Nancy Doll

Dr. Fardy is program director, Ms. Doll is testing coordinator, and Mr. Taylor is an exercise specialist at the Cardiac Rehabilitation and Physical Fitness Center at St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago, Indiana. Dr. Williams is program director of the Cardiac Canter at Creighton University Medical School at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha. Dr. Fardy is a fellow, and Ms. Doll, Mr. Taylor, and Dr. Williams are members of the American College ofSports Medicine.

Jack Taylor

Dr. Fardy is program director, Ms. Doll is testing coordinator, and Mr. Taylor is an exercise specialist at the Cardiac Rehabilitation and Physical Fitness Center at St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago, Indiana. Dr. Williams is program director of the Cardiac Canter at Creighton University Medical School at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha. Dr. Fardy is a fellow, and Ms. Doll, Mr. Taylor, and Dr. Williams are members of the American College ofSports Medicine.

Mark Williams

Dr. Fardy is program director, Ms. Doll is testing coordinator, and Mr. Taylor is an exercise specialist at the Cardiac Rehabilitation and Physical Fitness Center at St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago, Indiana. Dr. Williams is program director of the Cardiac Canter at Creighton University Medical School at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha. Dr. Fardy is a fellow, and Ms. Doll, Mr. Taylor, and Dr. Williams are members of the American College ofSports Medicine.