42
Before You Start Exercising
This app can be used to monitor your exercise. While
moderate physical activity, such as brisk walking, is safe for
most people, health experts suggest that you talk with your
doctor before you start an exercise program, particularly if
you have any of the following conditions:
•
Heart disease;
•
Asthma or lung disease;
•
Diabetes, or liver or kidney disease;
•
Arthritis.
You should also check with your doctor if you have symptoms
suggestive of heart, lung, or other serious disease, such as:
•
Pain or discomfort in your chest, neck, jaw, or arms during
physical activity;
•
Dizziness or loss of consciousness;
•
Shortness of breath with mild exertion or at rest, or when lying
down or going to bed;
•
Ankle swelling, especially at night;
•
A heart murmur or a rapid or pronounced heartbeat;
•
Muscle pain when walking upstairs or up a hill that goes away
when you rest.
Finally, the American College of Sports Medicine
recommends that you see your doctor before engaging in
vigorous exercise if two or more of the following apply:
•
You are a man older than age 45 or a woman older than age 55;
•
You have a family history of heart disease before age 55;
•
You smoke or quit smoking in the past six months;
•
You have not exercised for three months or more;
•
You are overweight or obese;
•
You have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
•
You have impaired glucose tolerance, also called pre-diabetes.
When in Doubt - Check it Out
If you are unsure of your health status, have several health
problems, or are pregnant, you should speak with your
doctor before starting a new exercise program. Working with
your doctor ahead of time is a good way to plan an exercise
program that is right and safe for you. Consider it the first
step on your path to physical fitness.
