Table 7.

Contraindications to Exercise Stress Testing

Absolute
    Acute myocardial infarction (within 2 days)
    High-risk unstable angina
    Uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmias
    Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis
    Uncontrolled symptomatic heart failure
    Acute pulmonary embolus or pulmonary infarction
    Acute myocarditis or pericarditis
    Acute aortic dissection
Relative
    Left main coronary stenosis
    Moderate stenotic valvular heart disease
    Electrolyte abnormalities
    Severe arterial hypertension (>200/110)
    Tachyarrhythmias or bradyarrhythmias
    Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and other forms of outflow tract obstruction
    Mental or physical impairment leading to inability or willingness to exercise adequately
    High-degree atrioventricular block
  • Modified from ref. 10.