HEART PATIENTS AND EXERCISE-PRECAUTIONS

There are many precautions someone with heart disease must keep in mind when developing an exercise program..

• Stop the exercise if you become overly fatigued or short of breath; discuss the symptoms with the doctor or schedule an appointment for evaluation.
• Do not exercise if you're not feeling well or have a fever. Heart patients should wait a few days after all symptoms disappear before restarting the exercise program, unless their health care provider gives other directions.
• If you have shortness of breath or increased fatigue during any activity, slow down or stop the activity. Keep feet elevated when resting. If you continue to have shortness of breath, call your doctor. The doctor may make changes in medications, diet, or fluid restrictions.
• Stop exercising if you develop a rapid or irregular heartbeat or have heart palpitations. Check your pulse after he has rested for 15 minutes. If it's still above 120-150 beats per minute, call the doctor for further instructions.

If you experience pain:

• Don't ignore it. If you have chest pain or pain anywhere else in the body, stop exercising. Performing an activity while in pain may cause stress or damage on to the joints.

Stop the exercise and rest if you:

• Have chest pain
• Feel weak
• Are dizzy or lightheaded
• Have unexplained weight gain or swelling (call the doctor right away)
• Have pressure or pain in the chest, neck, arm, jaw, or shoulder
• Have any other symptoms that cause concern

Most importantly, contact your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms that refuse to go away. While it's true that exercise for the heart is extremely beneficial, it's equally important too for you to take the necessary precautions. Remember that the symptoms can come and go, and it may range from mild to severe