Is it important to consult a doctor before joining an exercise program?
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Dr. Pamela Ouyang of Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Consulting with a doctor before joining an exercise program is always a good idea, especially if you have a family history of heart attack or sudden cardiac death in a close relative at an age under 60 years, high blood pressure, diabetes or several other risk factors for heart disease.
If you are able to walk briskly and climb a flight of stairs without difficulty with shortness of breath or chest discomfort, and are at low risk for heart disease, you may not need to consult a doctor before exercising - but it certainly doesn't hurt.
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulConsulting with a doctor before joining an exercise program is always a good idea, especially if you have a family history of heart attack or sudden cardiac death in a close relative at an age under 60 years, high blood pressure, diabetes or... More -
Dr. Mike Clark of Sharecare Fitness answered:Yes! Please talk with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Your doctor can advise you about any contraindications or conditions that would impede your exercise regimen. Learn more by watching this video.
Yes! Please talk with your doctor before beginning any exercise program. Your doctor can advise you about any contraindications or conditions that would impede your exercise regimen. Learn more by watching this video. More -
Dr. Dean Ornish answered:If you are a man under the age of 45 or a woman under the age of 55 and do not have a chronic disease or significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease (smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol), it’s not essential to see your doctor before starting an exercise program, but it’s useful to talk with him or her about exercise in the context of your overall health, especially if you’ve been sedentary for a while.
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If you are a man under the age of 45 or a woman under the age of 55 and do not have a chronic disease or significant risk factors for cardiovascular disease (smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol), it’s not essential to see... More -
Jonathan Penney of National Academy of Sports Medicine answered:Yes, consulting with your physician prior to exercise would never be a bad suggestion. If you are and have been in good health for years and have been active and exercising then starting a new program should not be of concern. However, if you are not active then it might be best to consult with your physician prior to starting any program. Meeting with your doctor will help to decide how much exercise is needed and the best type of program that should be followed.
Yes, consulting with your physician prior to exercise would never be a bad suggestion. If you are and have been in good health for years and have been active and exercising then starting a new program should not be of concern. However,... More
