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Advanced Technical IVT

hemodynamic instability

Unstable cardiovascular responses including blood pressure or heart rate changes that may indicate cardiac compromise during exercise.

Full Definition

Hemodynamic instability in cardiac rehabilitation refers to abnormal or unstable cardiovascular responses during exercise or activity that suggest inadequate cardiac function or compensation. This includes significant blood pressure fluctuations, inappropriate heart rate responses, sustained arrhythmias, or signs of poor perfusion. Hemodynamic instability is a contraindication to continued exercise and requires immediate assessment, possible program modification, or medical intervention. Recognition of hemodynamic instability is crucial for patient safety and may indicate progression of underlying cardiac disease or medication effects.

Usage

Usage note: Use as a medical condition descriptor; avoid hyphenating the compound term.

In Context

  • "Exercise was terminated due to hemodynamic instability manifested by a 30 mmHg drop in systolic pressure." — exercise session note
  • "Signs of hemodynamic instability during warm-up prompted immediate medical evaluation." — incident report

Also known as

cardiovascular instability unstable hemodynamics

Contrasted with

hemodynamic stability stable cardiovascular response

Don't confuse with

exercise intolerance deconditioning

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