Living with Stress - Body problems

If you encounter physical problems at any time during your workout, it may be desirable to modify what you are doing. Dr. Lenore Zohman, a prominent exercise cardiologist, and her associates have summarized some possible body problems into two categories:

The Stop Exercising Group

(See a physician before resuming):

1. • Abnormal heart activity, including such signs and symptoms as irregular pulse (missed beats or extra beats), fluttering, jumping or palpitations in the throat, a sudden burst of rapid heartbeats, or a sudden slowdown in a rapid pulse rate.
2. • Pain or pressure in the center of the chest, arm, or throat during or immediately after exercise.
3. • Dizziness, light-headedness, a sudden lack of coordination, confusion, cold sweating, glassy stare, pallor, “blueness,” or fainting.
4. • Illness, in particular a viral infection, which can lead to myocarditis, a viral infection of the heart muscle. Exercise should, in fact, be avoided during and immediately following an illness.

The Attempt Self-Correction Group

1. • Persistent rapid pulse for five to ten minutes or more. Self-correction technique: reduce the intensity of the activity, raising heart rate to a lower level, then move on to higher levels of activity at a slower rate. Consult a physician if the problem persists.
2. • Nausea or vomiting after exercise. Self-correction technique: reduce the intensity of the endurance exercise and lengthen the cool-down period. Avoid eating for at least two hours before the exercise period.
3. • Extreme breathlessness after exercise. Self-correction technique: reduce the intensity of the exercise. If the condition persists, consult a doctor.
4. • Prolonged fatigue for up to 24 hours following exercise. Self-correction technique: if the condition persists, reduce the intensity of the exercise and of the total workout session. If those corrective methods fail, see a physician.