Risk of exercise exceeds the benefits in the following medical conditions:
In patients suffering from a recent heart attack, unstable angina, ventricular arrhythmias, any tear in the inner layer of the aorta, aortic aneurysm, congestive heart failure, severe aortic stenosis, inflammation of the heart muscle or pericardium, pericarditis, pulmonary embolism, intracardiac thrombi, blockage of the main artery of the lung or one of its branches, and acute infection should not exercise since the risks of exercise exceed the benefits. Again, if any of these health conditions are present in an individual a health provider prior should be consulted before any exercise and the physician should refer to the ACSM’s guidelines for exercise testing and prescription (61):