Checking health precautions

05 Dec Checking health precautions

It seems to be fairly common to see alerts about contacting your physician or checking your health status before starting an exercise program or a new physical activity. On a practical level, what does this mean? I like Greg Whyte’s * suggestion of specific questions to ask yourself, and if you answer  “yes” to any of them, to consult your doctor before starting.

• Has your doctor ever told you that you have a heart condition?
• Do you feel pain in your chest during physical activity?
• Have you recently suffered from chest pain at rest?
• Do you suffer from dizziness?
• Have you ever lost consciousness?
• Do you suffer from joint problems that may be made worse by exercise?
• Are you currently taking drugs for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a heart condition?
• Do you know of any reason why you should not participate in exercise?

Even if I answered “no” to all of these questions, I would consider Whyte’s further  injunction to contact a physician if:

1. You already have a diagnosed chronic health problem (including heart or lung disease and diabetes) or are at high risk of developing one.
2. You are over the age of forty and inactive.

 * Greg Whyte. Swimming for Exercise – Optimize your technique, fitness and enjoyment. Firefly Books, Buffalo, New York, 144 pages