Many Americans suffer from heart disease. This does not mean you cannot begin an exercise program. Consult your physician before starting any type of exercise regimen. Here’s a list of other precautions for those with heart disease.

– Once you begin an exercise program, be sure to see your doctor on a regular basis. This helps determine of any medication changes are necessary. Before beginning any new medications, make sure your doctor knows your exercise program and how often you are exercising. New medications can affect your ability to continue exercising.

– If you feel overly tired and not sure if you’re over doing it or not, review what activities you did the day before and alter them just a bit. Monitor how you are feeling and make changes to balance out your exercise and your rest. Don’t overdo it.

– Avoid pushing anything too heavy, heavy lifting, and chores like shoveling, raking, scrubbing too much, and mowing. If you have problems with work around the house, make sure you ask someone for help.

– Ask your doctor for specific suggestions for any strengthening or aerobic exercises and any that should be avoided.

– Don’t go to bed after exercising. This reduces your tolerance to exercise. If you feel it necessary to rest, try sitting in a comfortable chair for a period of time.

– Exercising in the extreme cold or heat is also cautioned against. Exercising during high humidity can cause fatigue and interfere with your breathing or circulation. When the weather is unfavorable, try walking inside a large mall.

– For those suffering from heart disease, saunas, extremely cold or hot showers should be avoided.

– Avoid walking or running steep hills. If you cannot avoid a hill, slow your pace to avoid overworking the heart. Pay attention to your heart rate.

– Reduce your exercise regimen if you’ve been away from it for a few days. Begin again slowly and slowly increase to your previous level.

– If you are feeling under the weather, or have a fever, do not exercise. It’s okay and even recommended to wait until you are feeling better.

– If you become short of breath, or become overly fatigued, decrease your activity or even stop to rest. If you continue having shortness of breath, seek medical attention. Your doctor may need to change medications, fluid restrictions, or even your diet. Do not continue the activity at this point. It’s important to pay attention to your body.

– If you begin to have heart palpitations or irregular heartbeats, it’s important that you rest. After a few minutes of rest, recheck your heart rate. If your heartbeat is still irregular, contact your doctor for advice.

– If you experience any type of chest pain, do not ignore it. Learn your body and know what it’s trying to tell you. It will let you know when you need to change or stop a particular activity or exercise.

Your doctor is your source for questions and concerns. Following his or her advice could make all the difference when it comes to becoming healthy and maintaining that health.

Author Bio: I write for TIR Massage Stone about hot stone massage and massage stone therapy including hot and cold applications.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: exercise,exercising,heart disease,