Abstract: Abstract Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of heart rate recovery after treadmill exercise test for coronary artery disease (CAD). Method: Patients suspected for CAD were divided into CAD group and non-CAD (NCAD) group according to coronary angiography. Each eighty-six subjects underwent treadmill exercise test for both CAD group and non-CAD (NCAD) group. Heart rate recovery and the ratio of heart rate reserve between two groups were calculated and compared. The sensitivity and specificity were compared among the heart rate recovery, combined the ST segment change and the heart rate recovery, the ST segment change criteria for the diagnosis of CAD. Result: The heart rate recovery、the fastest heart rate in exercise and the ratio of heart rate reserve were lower in the CAD group than that of NCAD group (P<0.05).The two diagnostic methods had the same sensitivity（P>0.05）, but former had higher specificity and veracity(P<0.05). The two diagnostic methods combine had higher specificity and veracity (P<0.01). Conclusion: The combine of the ST segment change and the heart rate recovery after treadmill exercise test could improve the veracity of CAD. The abnormal heart rate recovery had important clinic significance for the diagnosis of CAD.

Key words: Treadmill exercise test, Heart rate recovery, Coronary artery disease