Which of the following is a contraindication to hydrotherapy?

• A. Advanced Cardiovascular Or Pulmonary Disease
• B. Allergy To Nickel
• C. Hearing Loss
• D. Acne Vulgaris

Answer: (A)

Hydrotherapy places heat and buoyancy on the body, which changes how the cardiovascular and respiratory systems respond. Immersion in warm water causes blood vessels to dilate and heart rate to rise, with potential shifts in blood pressure. For someone with advanced cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, this added workload and potential fluid shifts can trigger symptoms like chest pain, arrhythmias, decompensation of heart failure, or respiratory distress. That risk is why advanced cardiovascular or pulmonary disease is a contraindication to hydrotherapy.

The other options aren’t inherently contraindications. A nickel allergy relates to contact dermatitis from metals, not the therapy itself. Hearing loss and acne vulgaris do not directly worsen or restrict hydrotherapy in typical clinical use.