Do
you need to see a doctor before starting an exercise program?
By
Kat Carney CNN Headline News
(CNN) -- We've all seen the warning at the beginning of every
exercise video, "Before starting this or any other exercise
program, be sure to check with your doctor."
But some experts say this prescription is not one size fits
all, and a beginning exerciser needs to know what to ask for
and what to tell his or her doctor before hitting the gym.
What's more, the beginning exerciser needs to know the potential
dangers of not seeking medical advice in advance and needs
to know what to ask for and what to tell his or her doctor
before hitting the gym.
Dr. Herbert Insel, a cardiologist from Executive Health Exams
International, cautions that while "exercise can be the single
most important thing one can do for oneself, embarking on
an exercise program can shock the body, and be deleterious
if not approached correctly."
Insel adds that a previously sedentary person may experience
elevations in blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems.
A beginning exerciser also needs to make sure he or she is
in adequate physical condition to participate in the level
of activity being pursued, says Dr. Joel Press of the Rehabilitation
Institute of Chicago, Illinois.
The specific tests one should have depend on a person's baseline
health and on the goals of the exercise program.
Age is another critical factor when it comes to starting physical
activity.
According to Dr. Michael Zimring of Mercy Medical Center,
people in their 20s are usually in a safe position to start
exercising.
But, he says, "it may not be a bad idea for the young to be
evaluated based on family history or cholesterol readings."
People in their 30s and 40s should see their physician for
a comprehensive evaluation that includes a review past medical
problems and family medical history, comprehensive blood tests,
and possibly an exercise stress test.
By
Kat Carney CNN Headline News
