If you follow KAATSU protocols, there are very few risks to using KAATSU for the vast majority of people. There are risks for any kind of exercise, so we always recommend checking with your physician before starting any new fitness or exercise program.
KAATSU has been used for decades by people with a very wide range of physical abilities, disabilities, and medical conditions. There is no other BFR company in the market with as long a safety record as KAATSU. When you choose KAATSU as a BFR training system, you are choosing what is arguably the safest system available.
KAATSU Contraindications
The contraindications to KAATSU use are largely the same as the contraindications to exercise as recommended by the American Heart Association. These are:
- Acute myocardial infarction (MI / “heart attack”), within 2 days
- Ongoing unstable angina
- Uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia with hemodynamic compromise
- Active endocarditis
- Symptomatic severe aortic stenosis
- Decompensated heart failure
- Acute pulmonary embolism, pulmonary infarction, or deep vein thrombosis
- Acute myocarditis or pericarditis
- Acute aortic dissection
- Physical disability that precludes safe and adequate exercise
In addition, to be safe, people with an acute infection, unclear tumour status, acute vena cava dissociation, macular degeneration, chronic lymphedema, pregnancy, or severe hypertension (Systolic >180 or Diastolic >110) should also avoid using KAATSU. We also recommend that children under age 14 do not use KAATSU.
When you consider all that’s gone into the development of KAATSU, it’s clear that it was designed with safety in mind. KAATSU has a long history of being used with very few complications, and it has a clear set of guidelines outlining how to use it properly. It is quite likely the safest product in the blood flow restriction training market.
I hope this answers the question of what are the risks of using KAATSU. If you would like more clarification, please read through the other FAQs about KAATSU, or leave a question in the comment box below.
I think at one point you mentioned that people with Raynaud’s Disease shouldn’t use KAATSU but I don’t see it now – is it safe for them?
Greetings Dottie! Further guidance from KAATSU Global is for people with Raynaud’s to use KAATSU very conservatively. Always using Cycle mode on the lowest pressure range, and stopping immediately if there is any Raynaud’s discomfort. I know of one customer with Raynaud’s who is using KAATSU successfully. One should always discuss using KAATSU with their primary healthcare provider before getting started. I hope this helps!
Hi, is it ok for people with certain types of eye problems to use Kaatsu? Personally I find it has helped my vision, but a friend has a glaucoma type of eye condition, multiple laser surgeries etc.. I’m wondering if there is any Kaatsu feedback on this?
Could you please tell me if I could use this KAATSU C4 with a defibrillator, the pacemaker portion of this duo unit is not hooked up to my heart only the defibrillator is??
Could you also let me know the availability and cost of a unit. Do you have any demo units?
Greetings Wayde. The defibrillator is there because of an underlying cardiac condition which is likely a contraindication to KAATSU use. This is probably a question better asked of your cardiologist.