| Primary | Absolute contraindications | 
| Detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with chest pain (chest discomfort) syndromes or potential symptom equivalents | Acute myocardial infarction within 2 days | 
| Evaluation of anatomic and functional severity of CAD | Ongoing unstable angina | 
| Prediction of cardiovascular events and all-cause death | Uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia with hemodynamic compromise | 
| Evaluation of physical capacity and effort tolerance | Active endocarditis | 
| Evaluation of exercise-related symptoms | Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis | 
| Assessment of chronotropic competence, arrhythmias, and response to implanted device therapy | Decompensated heart failure | 
| Assessment of the response to medical interventions | Acute pulmonary embolism, pulmonary infarction, or deep vein thrombosis | 
| Acute myocarditis or pericarditis | 
| Acute aortic dissection | 
| Physical disability that precludes safe and adequate testing | 
| Additional | Relative contraindications | 
| Development of the exercise plan or prescription | Known obstructive left main coronary artery stenosis | 
| Response to medication | Moderate to severe aortic stenosis with uncertain relation to symptoms | 
| Evaluation of perioperative risk for non-cardiac surgery | Tachyarrhythmias with uncontrolled ventricular rates | 
|  | Acquired advanced or complete heart block | 
|  | Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy with severe resting gradient | 
|  | Recent stroke or transient ischemic attack | 
|  | Mental impairment with limited ability to cooperate | 
|  | Resting hypertension with systolic or diastolic blood pressures >200/110 mmHg | 
|  | Uncorrected medical conditions, such as significant anemia, important electrolyte imbalance, and hyperthyroidism |