The use of submaximal exercise stress testing in early detection of ischaemic heart disease in seamen.

50 seamen aged 19-66 years (mean age 41.5 +/- 10.9), with nonspecific pains in the chest but no changes in the resting ECG, were subjected to the submaximal exercise test. The examinations were carried out at the Clinic of the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia. The positive exercise test was recorded in 42% of persons examined. Observed was an increasing prevalence of the positive test with the growing age and period of employment at sea, especially in the group with the risk factors of the heart ischaemic disease present. Introduction of this test in seafarers, aged over 40 years might be considered; it would help to early diagnose this disease. In the presence of several risk factors of the heart ischeamic disease, the exercise test could be recommended for seafarers as early as at the age 30-40.