Heart Health and Staying Safe While Exercising

Learn to recognize the warning signs that you may be exercising too hard or too much to maintain a healthy heart

Before beginning any kind of exercise program after a long period of inactivity, you should talk to your doctor. He or she may want you to have a treadmill stress test to determine your heart-health status and then give you specific exercise recommendations. But even then, you need to be alert to warning signs that you may be exercising too hard or too much.

Stop exercising immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath (unable to carry on a conversation)
• Jaw pain
• Arm tingling or numbness
• Tight feeling in the lungs (bronchospasm)

If you feel ill, stop exercising and rest. If symptoms persist after three to five minutes of rest, seek medical attention immediately. Also, be aware of any symptoms that you may experience up to an hour after you finish your exercise session.

Learn to listen to your body. It will tell you when there’s a problem.

More Dr. Sinatra Advice on Exercise and Heart Health

What kind of exercise is best for heart health? Find out which are my two favorite heart-healthy forms of exercise.

What special supplements do you need for heart health if you are an avid exerciser? Find out which antioxidant supplements you should take if you exercise a lot.

How does weight training boost heart health? Discover the blood pressure-lowering benefits of weight training and get tips on how to start a weight-training program for a healthy heart.