Which form of stress testing is typically used for patients who cannot perform physical exercises?

Pharmacological stress testing is designed specifically for patients who are unable to perform physical exercises due to various limitations, such as musculoskeletal issues, severe deconditioning, or other medical conditions. This testing involves the administration of medications that simulate the effects of exercise on the heart, such as increasing heart rate and cardiac workload.

In this context, using pharmacological agents allows clinicians to evaluate cardiac function and stress response without requiring the patient to engage in traditional exercise. This method is particularly important in determining cardiovascular health or identifying coronary artery disease in populations that would otherwise be unable to undergo standard exercise testing.

The other choices refer to physical forms of exercise stress testing. Brisk walking, continuous treadmill testing, and incremental cycling all require some degree of physical effort, which would be unsuitable for patients unable to exercise. Therefore, pharmacological stress testing is the most appropriate option for assessing cardiovascular stress in these cases.