7. Conditions Where An Exercise Program Would Be Contraindicated

1. Moderate to severe coronary heart disease that causes chest pain even with minimal activity.
   
2. A recent heart attack. Usual recommendation is to-wait for three months and then begin a light program under supervision.
   
3. Any severe disease of the heart valves. Slow walking may be tried.
   
4. Certain types of congenital heart disease.
   
5. Greatly enlarged heart.
   
6. Severe heartbeat irregularities.
   
7. Uncontrolled sugar diabetes with high fluctuations in blood glucose levels.
   
8. Hypertension with blood pressure readings, for example, of 180/110.
   
9. Extreme obesity. Walking permitted.
   
10. During acute diseased states, especially where there is fever.

The above restrictions pertain, of course, to vigorous and sustained exercise. Exercises which are performed slowly and for a limited time or if done with assistance can prove beneficial in most cases, even in patients suffering from one or more of the above ailments.

The patient requires careful observation during exercise periods and the exercises should be immediately stopped if the patient shows signs of weariness, of if the skin turns either blue or excessively pale, or if the patient begins to breathe overly hard.

The rule of thumb is to start with simple movements. Observe the response and the reactions given by the patient. And, to build slowly!