Which statement best describes a relative contraindication for exercise related to blood pressure?

Which statement best describes a relative contraindication for exercise related to blood pressure?

• A. A resting blood pressure above 200 mmHg is a relative contraindication.
• B. A diastolic blood pressure drop below 60 mmHg with symptoms is a relative contraindication.
• C. Orthostatic blood pressure drop greater than 20 mmHg with symptoms indicates risk of syncope.
• D. Any systolic BP rise during exercise is a contraindication.

Answer: (C)

Understanding how blood pressure changes signal safety during exercise is essential. A major warning sign is orthostatic intolerance: if the systolic blood pressure falls by more than 20 mmHg and symptoms such as dizziness or lightheadedness appear, there’s a real risk of syncope. This drop indicates the brain isn’t receiving adequate perfusion when the body changes position or during exertion, so continuing exercise could lead to fainting or injury. That’s why this scenario is considered a relative contraindication to further exertion—it calls for stopping, reassessing, and addressing the underlying cause before continuing. Rising systolic blood pressure during exercise is normal and expected, so it’s not a contraindication. A resting systolic blood pressure above 200 mmHg is typically treated as a more urgent concern, often categorized as an absolute contraindication rather than a relative one. A diastolic drop below 60 mmHg with symptoms isn’t the standard criterion for this context, since the emphasis for orthostatic risk focuses on the systolic change of about 20 mmHg.

Understanding how blood pressure changes signal safety during exercise is essential. A major warning sign is orthostatic intolerance: if the systolic blood pressure falls by more than 20 mmHg and symptoms such as dizziness or lightheadedness appear, there’s a real risk of syncope. This drop indicates the brain isn’t receiving adequate perfusion when the body changes position or during exertion, so continuing exercise could lead to fainting or injury. That’s why this scenario is considered a relative contraindication to further exertion—it calls for stopping, reassessing, and addressing the underlying cause before continuing.

Rising systolic blood pressure during exercise is normal and expected, so it’s not a contraindication. A resting systolic blood pressure above 200 mmHg is typically treated as a more urgent concern, often categorized as an absolute contraindication rather than a relative one. A diastolic drop below 60 mmHg with symptoms isn’t the standard criterion for this context, since the emphasis for orthostatic risk focuses on the systolic change of about 20 mmHg.