Abstract des Autors

Submaximal graded multistage treadmill ECG tests were performed on 357 obese patients. Mean cardiorespiratory fitness levels for these subjects were ratherlow, indicating that attempts to modify their exercise habits should begin with low-intensity forms of exercise such as walking. The prevalence of hypertension among our obese patients was only slightly higher than estimates for the general population. Age and degree of obesity adversely affected the prevalence of resting hypertension as well as blood pressure responses to exercise. The incidence of positive stress tests was surprisingly low (less than 4 instead of the expected 10 to 11). This suggests that not only is itsafe to prescribe exercise of gradually increasing intensity for obese patients, but also that obesity may not be as intimately related to the development of ischemic heart disease as believed. Verf.-Referat