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ARE YOU AT RISK?
Exercise is safe for most of us, but if you're sedentary, extremely out of shape, or have a number of health risk factors, you need to check with your doctor before exercising. It's important for older people or people who are ill to make sure the planned exercise is safe, appropriate, and effective. It is also important to know the state of your health in order to design an exercise program appropriate for your needs. Of course, you don't want to cause yourself harm, but you also want to target problem issues. If you have osteoporosis, you want to include strength exercises in your program, beginning gently if the bones are fragile and working with exercises that best enhance bone density. If you have high blood pressure, you need to learn the right exercise techniques for improving and not worsening the problem.
Once you start exercising, you still need to be aware of additional risk factors. Accidents, sun exposure, and dehydration can all be health risks for active people.
Most Common Risk Factors
*Age: over 40 for men and over 50 for women
*Obesity
*Cigarette smoking
*Blood pressure greater than 160/90
*Serum cholesterol greater than 240
*Family history of parents or siblings with coronary disease before age 55
*Chest pains
*Shortness of breath, severe dizziness,tendency to faint
*Severe joint pain
*Diabetes mellitus
*Thyroid conditions
*Liver or kidney conditions
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