Heart rate increase from rest to maximal exercise is prognostically significant in beta-blocked heart failure patients

Introduction: Previous research has found the increase in heart rate (HR) during exercise holds prognostic value, although heart failure (HF) patients prescribed a beta-blocking agent have not been exclusively examined. Methods: Three hundred and twenty one HF patients (72% male/28% female, 40% ischemic/ 60% non-ischemic, age: 52.7 ± 14.4 years, ejection fraction: 29.3 ± 16.7%) underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing to determine peak oxygen consumption (VO2), the minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production (VE/VCO2) slope, peak respiratory exchange ratio and the change in HR from rest to maximal exercise (ΔHR).