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Background: Studies suggest that habitual daily activities may result in significant cardiovascular responses that might have implications for individuals with coronary artery disease. This study determined the cardiac work for various activities of daily living among healthy young participants. Methods: We evaluated cardiovascular responses in 42 young adults （21 male, 21 female） to graded activities. Subjects were divided into three groups. In each group, one light, one moderate, and one heavy activity were performed based on published METS. Cardiovascular responses were evaluated using impedance cardiography （BOMED Instruments, USA） and automated blood pressure monitor （Welch Allyn, USA）. Cardiac work was computed as the double product （heart rate × systolic blood pressure） and triple product （systolic blood pressure × cardiac output [stroke volume × heart rate]）. Perceived exertion was evaluated using Borg’s scale. Results: There was high inter-individual variability in cardiovascular responses for each activity. There were, by and large, no gender differences across the activities. Cardiac work was significantly higher with heavy activities than light activities using both indices; however, the triple product showed greater discriminatory ability in evaluating differences in cardiac work across all categories of activities. Conclusion: The data suggest a need to develop a compendium of cardiac work related to habitual activities to guide doctors and patients.
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