Absolute and relative contraindications for field walking tests
| Absolute | Relative |
| Acute myocardial infarction (3–5 days) Unstable angina Uncontrolled arrhythmias causing symptoms or hemodynamic compromise Syncope Active endocarditis Acute myocarditis or pericarditis Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis Uncontrolled heart failure Acute pulmonary embolus or pulmonary infarction Thrombosis of lower extremities Suspected dissecting aneurysm Uncontrolled asthma Pulmonary oedema Room air SpO2 at rest ≤85%# Acute respiratory failure Acute noncardiopulmonary disorder that may affect exercise performance or be aggravated by exercise (i.e. infection, renal failure, thyrotoxicosis) Mental impairment leading to inability to cooperate | Left main coronary stenosis or its equivalent Moderate stenotic valvular heart disease Severe untreated arterial hypertension at rest (200 mmHg systolic, 120 mmHg diastolic) Tachyarrhythmias or bradyarrhythmias High-degree atrioventricular block Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Significant pulmonary hypertension Advanced or complicated pregnancy Electrolyte abnormalities Orthopedic impairment that prevents walking |
Adapted from the ATS/ACCP Statement on Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (2003) and taken from the ERS/ATS Technical Standard [1].#: exercise patient with supplemental oxygen.