Table 1.
Hemodynamic responses to physical exercise and mental stress.
| Physical Exercise | Mental Stress | |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiac output | ↑↑ | ↑ |
| Rate-pressure product | ↑↑ | ↑ |
| Myocardial oxygen demand | ↑↑ | ↑ |
| Systemic vascular resistance | ↓ | ↑ |
| LV afterload | ↓ | ↑ |
Physical exercise is associated with greater increase in cardiac output and rate-pressure product, resulting in greater increase in myocardial oxygen demand. Systemic vascular resistance and left ventricular (LV) afterload fall during exercise while increase in response to mental stress.