TTaabbllee 1155 .. 11 AAbbssoolluuttee aanndd rreellaattiivvee ccoonnttrraaiinnddiiccaattiioonnss ttoo eexxeerrcciissee tteessttiinngg**
AAbbssoolluuttee
Acute myocardial infarction (within 3 to 5 days)
Unstable angina
Uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias causing symptoms of
haemodynamic compromise
Active endocarditis
Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis
Uncontrolled symptomatic heart failure
Acute pulmonary embolus or pulmonary infarction
Acute non-cardiac disorder that may affect exercise
performance or be aggravated by exercise (e.g. infection, renal
failure, thyrotoxicosis)
Acute myocarditis or pericarditis
Physical disability that would preclude safe and adequate test
performance
Thrombosis of lower extremity
RReellaattiivvee
Left main coronary stenosis or its equivalent
Moderate stenotic valvular heart disease
Electrolyte abnormalities
Significant arterial or pulmonary hypertension
Tachyarrhythmias or bradyarrhythmias
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Mental impairment leading to inability to cooperate
High degree atrioventricular block
*Relative contraindications can be superseded if benefits outweigh risks of
exercise.
From Fletcher GF, Balady G, Froelicher VF et al. Exercise standards: a statement
for Healthcare Professionals from the American Heart Association Writing
Group. Circulation1995; 99 : 580–615. (Reproduced by permission.)
RReeffeerreenncceess
- Gibbons RJ, Chatterjee K, Daley J et al. ACC/AHA/ACP-ASIM guide-
lines for the management of patients with chronic stable angina: a
report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart
Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol
1999; 3333 : 2092–197.