Recovery of Heart Rate after Exercise

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In their article on heart-rate recovery after exercise as a predictor of mortality (Oct. 28 issue),1 Cole et al. did not clearly define the “cessation” of exercise in their study, since there was a cool-down period that included exercise. Did they mean the cessation of exercise according to the Bruce protocol or the cessation of the cool-down period (which was at least two minutes long)? Obviously, this distinction makes a large difference in the interpretation of their data. I interpret “cessation” to mean the end of all exercise and the placement of patients in a resting position. It would also be helpful for the authors to let readers know whether the patients were seated or supine at the cessation of exercise.