Name two vital-sign thresholds that would contraindicate initiating or continuing exercise in a hypertensive patient.

Name two vital-sign thresholds that would contraindicate initiating or continuing exercise in a hypertensive patient.

• A. Systolic BP > 200 mmHg or diastolic BP > 120 mmHg
• B. Systolic BP > 160 mmHg or diastolic BP > 100 mmHg
• C. Systolic BP > 180 mmHg or diastolic BP > 110 mmHg
• D. Systolic BP > 140 mmHg or diastolic BP > 90 mmHg

Answer: (C)

Exercising raises blood pressure, and resting values that are already very high can make any rise during activity unsafe. When systolic pressure reaches about 180 mmHg or diastolic pressure reaches about 110 mmHg, the additional exertion can increase the risk of myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias, stroke, or heart failure, so starting or continuing exercise is not advised until the blood pressure is brought under better control and the patient is medically evaluated. Lower values do not carry the same absolute prohibition and may be managed with supervision or medical clearance, while far higher readings could indicate an acute crisis requiring urgent care.

Exercising raises blood pressure, and resting values that are already very high can make any rise during activity unsafe. When systolic pressure reaches about 180 mmHg or diastolic pressure reaches about 110 mmHg, the additional exertion can increase the risk of myocardial ischemia, arrhythmias, stroke, or heart failure, so starting or continuing exercise is not advised until the blood pressure is brought under better control and the patient is medically evaluated. Lower values do not carry the same absolute prohibition and may be managed with supervision or medical clearance, while far higher readings could indicate an acute crisis requiring urgent care.