All of the following are considered absolute contraindications to exercise stress testing EXCEPT:
ExplanationThe correct answer is A. A left bundle branch block is a relative—not absolute—contraindication to stress testing and limits the usefulness of the test. One should add an imaging modality, such as myocardial perfusion scanning or echocardiography, in cases of left bundle branch block. The remaining answers are absolute contraindications to exercise stress testing. Other contraindications include: acute MI (within 2 days), dissecting aneurysm (but not asymptomatic abdominal aneurysm), recent pulmonary embolism, thrombophlebitis, blood pressure of >200/120, and hemodynamically significant arrhythmias. There are also a number of relative contraindications including significant systemic disease (uncontrolled thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus), inability to complete the test, etc
