The relationship between exercise tolerance and quality of life in angina pectoris

Abstract

The relationship between exercise tolerance assessed by a conventional exercise stress test using a standard Bruce protocol and quality of life (QoL) was studied in 50 patients with stable angina pectoris (AP). Before the exercise test, patients completed three self‐administered QoL questionnaires, the Psychological General Well‐Being Index, an Angina‐Specific QoL Questionnaire, and Jenkins' Sleep Dysfunction Scale. Total exercise time (r= ‐0.40) and time until onset of pain (r= ‐0.44) were significantly correlated with perceived physical limitations. Somatic symptoms were related to total time (r= ‐0.38). Apart from a significant correlation between depressed mood and total exercise time (r= 0.36), there was no corresponding correlation with well‐being and sleep disturbance. These results suggest that exercise stress tests do not reflect quality of life in patients with AP.