Bruce Protocol
The Bruce Protocol is a specific exercise test used to assess cardiovascular health, particularly in stress testing for heart conditions. It involves walking on a treadmill with gradually increasing speed and incline, typically in three-minute stages. As the test progresses, the intensity increases until the participant reaches their maximum effort or experiences symptoms. This method helps doctors evaluate how well the heart functions under stress, aiding in diagnosing conditions like coronary artery disease. It is named after Dr. Robert A. Bruce, who developed the protocol in the 1960s.
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The Bruce protocol is a standardized exercise test used to assess cardiovascular fitness, particularly during a stress test for heart health. It involves walking on a treadmill at gradually increasing levels of difficulty—both in speed and incline—over several stages. Each stage lasts three minutes, and the test continues until the participant shows significant fatigue, abnormal heart response, or reaches a predetermined heart rate. This process helps doctors evaluate heart function, identify potential issues, and determine exercise capacity in patients, especially those with known or suspected heart conditions.