3.2
3.1.5 Exclusions Based on Heart Rate and Blood Pressure
The resting heart rate and blood pressure measurements taken in the Physician’s Exam or in
the Blood Pressure section of the CV Fitness Exam will be used as the baseline measurements that are
reviewed for exclusion from the treadmill test. SPs will be excluded from the CV Fitness component if
one or more of the following criteria are present:
Heart rate greater than 100 beats per minute;
Systolic blood pressure greater than 180 mmHg;
Diastolic blood pressure greater than 100 mmHg; and
Irregular beats greater than 3 per minute.
If one or more of the above are present, the system will exclude the SP from the treadmill
test. The CV Fitness Component Status will be set to ‘Not Done’ with the comment ‘safety exclusion.’
Introduction to Component
It is important to log on to the computer data entry system as soon as you can after entering
the examination room. However, you should provide the sampled participants (SPs) with a brief
explanation of the treadmill test as you are walking from the reception area to the treadmill test room.
Many sampled participants may have never walked on a treadmill and may be a little apprehensive about
this component. Make frequent eye contact with the SP when you are explaining the test and make sure
he or she is listening and understands what you are saying. Below is an example of the introduction you
may use. This is not a standard script so you may use your own words.
Suggested Introduction to the Component (Not a standard script): English Version
“In this exam we want to get some information about your cardiovascular fitness or the
fitness of your heart. We will be asking you to walk on the treadmill while we monitor your heart rate and
blood pressure. I will explain this in more detail in a few minutes but first I want to ask you a few