Should you call your doctor before exercising?

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you should consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.

• Has a doctor ever said you have heart trouble?
• Do you suffer frequently from chest pains?
• Do you feel faint or have spells of dizziness?
• Has a doctor ever said your blood pressure was too high?
• Has a doctor ever told you that you have a bone or joint problem, such as arthritis?
• Are you over age 65 and not accustomed to exercise?
• Are you taking any prescription medications, such as those for heart problems or high blood pressure?
• Is there any good physical reason not mentioned here that you should not follow an activity program?

These guidelines come from the American College of Sports Medicine, which also recommends a medical exam and stress testing for any woman over age 50 embarking on a vigorous exercise program. If you’re in apparent good health, you can begin moderate exercise programs without having a medical exam first, says the ACSM, “as long as the exercise program begins and proceeds gradually and as long as the individual is alert to the development of unusual signs or symptoms.