contraindications

Last reviewed 01/2018

Several circumstances are contraindications to exercise testing. These include:

  • unstable angina
  • electrolyte disturbance
  • recent myocardial infarction (within 7 days)
    • early post-infarction angina
    • severe heart failure
    • atrioventricular block/new intraventricular conduction defects
  • aortic stenosis
  • heart failure
    • pulmonary oedema
    • if there is coincident left main coronary artery stenosis

Note that if the patient has left bundle branch block then it may not be possible to interpret ECG changes and therefore this is a contraindication to exercise ECG testing.