What response should be expected from a patient with CAD when adjusting exercise intensity?

A patient with coronary artery disease (CAD) often experiences a delayed return to resting heart rate following exercise. This response can be attributed to various factors related to the cardiovascular system's impairment in CAD. When a person with CAD exercises, their heart may not be able to respond to the increased demands of physical activity as efficiently as someone without the condition. Consequently, once the exercise ceases, it may take longer for their heart rate to return to baseline levels.

This delayed recovery can indicate compromised autonomic regulation and reduced cardiovascular fitness, which are common in individuals with CAD. Proper monitoring of heart rate recovery can provide insights into the patient’s cardiovascular health and their ability to cope with physical stress.

The other potential responses, while relevant in different contexts, do not specifically highlight the distinct physiological challenges faced by CAD patients. For instance, an immediate increase in heart rate would typically be expected in most individuals as a normal physiological response to exercise. A steady state during intense exercises is often noted in well-trained individuals but might not be applicable to those with CAD due to limited cardiovascular capacity. Lastly, while CAD can lead to increased blood pressure during exercise, the delayed heart rate recovery is a more characteristic response that indicates overall cardiovascular efficiency.