Table 5. Indications for Terminating Exercise Stress Testing and Training

Indications
Absolute Indications (immediate termination)• ST elevation >1.0mm in leads without diagnostic Q waves or inverted T waves• Drop in SBP of >10mmHg from baseline, with ischemia• Moderate to severe angina• Nervous system symptoms (e.g., ataxia, dizziness, or near-syncope)• Signs of poor perfusion (cyanosis or pallor)• Sustained VT• Development of bundle branch block that cannot be distinguished from VT• Technical difficulties in monitoring electrocardiogram or SBP• Subject’s desire to stop
Relative Indication (termination on physician’s decision)• ST or QRS changes such as excessive ST displacement (depression > 2mm of horizontal or downsloping ST-segment), or marked axis shift• Drop in SBP of > 10mmHg from baseline, without ischemia• Increasing chest pain• Arrhythmias other than sustained VT, including multifocal premature ventricular contractions, triplets, or supraventricular tachycardia, heart block, or bradyarrhythmias• Fatigue, shortness of breath, wheezing, leg cramps, claudication

Indications

Absolute Indications (immediate termination)• ST elevation >1.0mm in leads without diagnostic Q waves or inverted T waves• Drop in SBP of >10mmHg from baseline, with ischemia• Moderate to severe angina• Nervous system symptoms (e.g., ataxia, dizziness, or near-syncope)• Signs of poor perfusion (cyanosis or pallor)• Sustained VT• Development of bundle branch block that cannot be distinguished from VT• Technical difficulties in monitoring electrocardiogram or SBP• Subject’s desire to stop

Relative Indication (termination on physician’s decision)• ST or QRS changes such as excessive ST displacement (depression > 2mm of horizontal or downsloping ST-segment), or marked axis shift• Drop in SBP of > 10mmHg from baseline, without ischemia• Increasing chest pain• Arrhythmias other than sustained VT, including multifocal premature ventricular contractions, triplets, or supraventricular tachycardia, heart block, or bradyarrhythmias• Fatigue, shortness of breath, wheezing, leg cramps, claudication

SBP: systemic blood pressure, VT: ventricular tachycardia