CHECKING YOUR HEALTH

CHECKING YOUR HEALTH

If you’re under 35 and in good health, you don’t need to see a doctor before beginning an exercise program. But if you are over 35 and have been inactive for several years, you should consult your physician, who may or may not recommend a graded exercise test. Other conditions that indicate a need for medical clearance are:
o High blood pressure.
o Heart trouble.
o Family history of early stroke or heart attack deaths.
o Frequent dizzy spells.
o Extreme breathlessness after mild exertion.
o Arthritis or other bone problems.
o Severe muscular, ligament or tendon problems.
o Other known or suspected disease.
Vigorous exercise involves minimal health risks for persons in good health or those following a doctor’s advice. Far greater risks are presented by habitual inactivity and obesity.