When in Doubt — Check It Out

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 prediabetes.

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.