timok,
Great question.
CaffeineCaffeine
Caffeine anhydrous
Caffeine citrate
Caffeine-acetaminophen
Caffeine-ergotamine is a stimulant, and thus raises the baseline heart rate. One of the parameters we measure at the Clinic is called "Chronotropic competence (Cc)". This is calculated as:
Cc = (max heart rate - rest heart rate)/(85% MPHR - rest heart rate).
If the Cc is less than 0.8, then it is abnormal, and thus adversely affects the patient's prognosis. The higher the resting heart rate, than the more likely the Cc will be abnormal. Therefore, we ask you to not take any stimulants, such as
caffeineCaffeine
Caffeine anhydrous
Caffeine citrate
Caffeine-acetaminophen
Caffeine-ergotamine, prior to the test.
Hope that helps.
MPHR is Maximum Predicted Heart Rate and is generally calculated as 220-age.
RCJ