Archive for May 9th, 2009
If you don’t have that much weight to lose, are relatively young, don’t have a disability and are in overall good health, you probably can safely skip the doctor’s visit. However, if you’re severely overweight or have diabetes or a family history of heart disease, you should check in with a doctor before getting that heart rate too high.
A trip to the doctor may result in tests of cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and blood sugar — all linked to heart health, a key component of exercise
They might recommend mild to moderate workouts if your numbers aren’t in a danger zone, but he or she also might want to stabilize some conditions before letting you lace up your sneakers. To be on the safe side, begin an exercise regimen slowly — maybe with a walk around the block, some light pool workouts, or low-resistance pedaling on a recumbent bike (best to do it with a buddy to be safe). If you experience shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness or chest pain, stop immediately and seek medical care.
* Don’t feel compelled to go overboard, requesting every test under the sun. A doctor is likely to start with the basics: checking cholesterol and triglyceride levels, measuring blood pressure and body fat, and testing for diabetes. More serious tests, such as a cardiac stress test done on a treadmill, usually are prescribed if coronary artery disease is suspected.
* Be upfront with your doctor about the reason for your visit, explaining your weight gain as best you can.
Good luck and much success.