Heart disease ranks first among the leading causes of death in 12 of the highly industrialized nations of the world, namely the United States of America, Canada, West Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Australia, Netherlands, Norway and Finland. Vast research has been directed toward the study of exercise as it relates to the development of cardiovascular disease. For the purposes of this study, the review of the literature included a survey of recent research in regard to exercise as a means to improve heart function. The literature also points to the stress test and other various measurements used to estimate cardiovascular function and body fitness.