chronotropic incompetence
Pronunciation: KRON-oh-trop-ik in-KOM-peh-tens
The inability of the heart rate to increase appropriately in response to exercise or metabolic demand.
Full Definition
A condition where a patient's heart rate fails to reach expected levels during exercise testing or training, typically defined as failure to achieve 85% of age-predicted maximum heart rate in the absence of rate-limiting medications. This condition affects exercise prescription methods, as traditional target heart rate zones may be inappropriate. Patients with chronotropic incompetence often require alternative intensity monitoring methods such as rate of perceived exertion or talk test protocols.
Usage
Usage note: Often abbreviated as CI in clinical documentation; requires specialized exercise prescription approaches.
In Context
- "Due to chronotropic incompetence, the patient's exercise prescription was based on RPE rather than target heart rate." — Clinical assessment
- "The exercise physiologist noted chronotropic incompetence and adjusted monitoring protocols accordingly." — Progress note