Many patients who are weak, fearful or shot of breath find it essential to hold tightly to the handrail while walking. If accurate aerobic information is to be obtained handrail support is not recommended or to hold handrail loosely. On the other hand, it is better to get some information than to get none at all. The heart rate and pulse pressure product are good estimates of the magnitude of coronary flow and aerobic capacity as well as the time on the protocol.

The physician should talk intermittently to the patients while they are being tested, reassuring them as to their progress and asking how they feel. When it is time to increase the speed of the treadmill, patients are notified and asked if they can go faster for short time.