Exercise – When To Check With Your Doctor First

Keeping physically active is key to a healthy lifestyle. But sometimes it’s best to check with your doctor before you start to exercise.  Regular exercise can help you control your weight, reduce your risk of heart disease, and strengthen your bones and muscles. But before you put on your workout shoes, you may want to talk to your doctor.

Although physical activity is perfectly safe for most people, sometimes it’s important to get a doctor’s OK before you exercise. Just when a person needs to see his or her doctor isn’t known. But most experts suggest you talk to your doctor before you start an exercise program if any of the following apply:

• You’ve had a heart attack.
• You have asthma or lung disease.
• You have diabetes or heart, liver or kidney disease.
• You feel pain in your chest, joints or muscles during physical activity.
• You have arthritis or osteoporosis.
• You’ve had joint replacement surgery.
• You experience symptoms such as loss of balance, dizziness or loss of consciousness.
• You take medication to manage a chronic condition.
• You have an untreated joint or muscle injury, or persistent symptoms after a joint or muscle injury.
• You’re pregnant.
• You’re unsure of your health status.

Source:  www.mayoclinic.com