Effects of treadmill exercise on the timing of the heart and arterial sounds, and the slope of the brachial arterial pulse wave.

An indirect, noninvasive method of sphygmorecording was used to study the effect of exercise on a number of cardiac parameters, including heart rate, blood pressure, the timing of the heart and Korotkoff arterial sounds, and the slope (dP/DT) of the brachial arterial pressure wave. The QKd interval is a sensitive and reliable indicator of the cardiovascular response to exercise stress, and can be used to follow the rate of return to basal levels. Changes in the QKd can occur even in the presence of fixed heart rate. These studies provide a baseline for analysis of patients with cardiovascular disease.