The type of hemodynamics correlating with the severity of the disease was determined from the value of the cardiac index in 283 patients with ischemic heart disease. With progression of this index, the incidence of eu- and hyperkinetic types decreases while that of the hypokinetic type of circulation increases. In patients with the hyperkinetic type of circulation, however, there is a disproportion between the clinical course of the disease and its hemodynamic provision. Physical working capacity was highest in patients with the eukinetic type and lower in patients with the hyperkinetic and hypokinetic types of hemodynamics. The reactions of the cardiovascular system to the same physical exercises were found to have specific features in the different groups of patients. Pain in the heart was the most frequent reason for discontinuing the ergometric test in patients with the hyperkinetic type of circulation, in the groups with eu- and hypokinetic types of hemodynamics the ECG changes increased. Signs of ischemic heart disease were recorded most frequently on the ECG at rest in patients with the hypokinetic type of hemodynamics. The author contends that the type of hemodynamics is one of the components which determine the physical working capacity of patients with chronic ischemic heart disease.