OVERVIEW.

The risk of sudden death and morbidity from exercise stress testing, which is generally low, is greatly increased by failing to consider contraindications for testing.¹ The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA),² American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM),³ and the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR)⁴ generally agreed on concerns. The 3 sources cited a total of 29 concerns for Exercise Testing. The overwhelming proportion (70%) of concerns was circulatory. About half of the guidelines were considered ACIs, whereas the other half viewed as RCIs. These organizations also provide guidelines for terminating an exercise test.