Signs of heart problems when exercising

The article is professionally consulted by Master, Doctor Cao Thanh Tam - Cardiologist - Cardiovascular Center - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Exercise can be considered an effective way to maintain overall health in general and cardiovascular health in particular. However, if the exercise lacks science and does not learn about the related pathological problems, it can have the opposite effect.

A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. According to the World Heart Federation, not exercising can increase the risk of heart disease by 50%, other risk factors include:
Diet high in saturated fat; Type 2 diabetes; Hypertension ; Smoke; High cholesterol ; Fat; Family history of heart disease. Reducing these risk factors can reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Nowadays, maintaining an active lifestyle is a great way to reduce the risk of heart disease. Regular aerobic exercise, such as walking has been shown to improve cardiovascular health. It may even reverse some risk factors for cardiovascular disease by helping with weight loss and lowering blood pressure. However, exercise can sometimes increase the risk of having a heart attack, especially in people who have heart disease and don't monitor their progress properly.

Exercise is one of the very important habits in helping to prevent heart disease. It's generally safe for most people, but you should take precautions, especially if your doctor has said you have one or more risk factors for heart disease, or you've recently had a heart attack. or other heart problems...
To be on the safe side, people with heart disease are almost always evaluated prior to exercise. Some people with heart disease may not be suitable for certain types of exercise. If you are still confused and feel unfamiliar with the exercise, you can start slowly to avoid bad effects and overdoing it. Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise program. To be on the safe side, you should also consider starting exercise under medical supervision.
Despite these precautions, it can be difficult for your doctor to predict the health problems you may experience with exercise. So, to be on the safe side, familiarize yourself with the symptoms that could suggest harmful complications. Being aware of some of the typical warning signs of a heart-related problem can be a lifesaver to avoid putting yourself at risk.

Even if you've had a heart attack before, completely different symptoms can occur. You should get medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:
3.1 Chest discomfort Many people think that angina is sudden and more intense than a heart attack. In fact, some heart attacks can start this way, but others don't. Many people begin with mild discomfort, tightness, or tightness in the center of the chest. The pain can be mild and go away, so it can be difficult to tell what's wrong. To be on the safe side, you should stop exercising and seek medical attention if symptoms persist for more than a few minutes.
3.2 Shortness of breath A sudden feeling of shortness of breath accompanied by signs such as chest pain during activity can be considered one of the early warning signs of a heart attack. These symptoms may occur before you experience chest discomfort or may even occur when you have no chest discomfort.
3.3 Dizziness or lightheadedness Although physical activity can make you feel tired, especially if you are not used to it, you must pay special attention to dizziness or lightheadedness during exercise. because it is also a bad sign for you. Take this warning sign seriously and stop exercising immediately.
3.4 Irregular Heart Rate Feeling that your heart rate slows down, you feel nervous or pounding, this could be a sign of a heart-related problem. You should stop exercising and get medical attention if you observe any abnormal heart rhythms during exercise.
3.5 Discomfort in Other Areas of the Body Heart problems can cause discomfort in other areas of the body besides the chest. Symptoms may include pain or pressure in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. You may also feel discomfort that radiates from one part of the body, such as from your chest, jaw, or neck to your shoulders, arms, or back.
3.6 Unusual sweating While it is normal to sweat during exercise, nausea and cold sweats are warning signs of a possible problem. Some people who have experienced a heart attack report having a foreshadowing of something unusual happening.

When it comes to dealing with a possible heart problem, time is of the essence, it counts down to the second. So don't take the wait method or try to finish your workout. Get medical help if you think you are experiencing any of the warning signs mentioned above.
The American Heart Association recommends waiting no more than a few minutes and no more than 5 minutes to call 911. Because your heart can stop beating during a heart attack, paramedics are needed because they have the knowledge and equipment needed to make it work again.
You can have someone else drive you to the hospital immediately if you are having symptoms of a heart attack and cannot call 911. Note, avoid self-driving unless you have no other choice.

Be prepared to answer the following questions if you find yourself in the emergency room after experiencing uncomfortable symptoms during exercise:
What time does your discomfort or pain start? What did you do when the discomfort or pain started? Does the pain at its most intense come on suddenly, or does it gradually increase to a peak? Have you noticed any additional symptoms related to discomfort such as nausea, sweating, lightheadedness or palpitations? On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the worst, what number would you use to describe your discomfort at the moment? Answering these questions to the best of your ability will help the medical team give you the best care possible and possibly save your life.
Approximately 600,000 Americans die from heart disease each year. Exercise is one way to avoid it, but certain considerations still need to be made. You should use a heart rate monitor when you exercise and aim for 60 to 80% of your maximum heart rate. Be sure to report any warning signs of heart problems during exercise.
Don't forget to have regular health check-ups to screen for cardiovascular disease more effectively and safely. Currently, Cardiovascular Center - Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the leading centers in the country for examination, diagnosis, screening and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. With the convergence of a team of experienced and reputable experts in the field of surgery, internal medicine, interventional cardiac catheterization and the application of advanced techniques in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Cardiovascular management, along with a system of modern equipment, on par with the most prestigious hospitals in the world such as: 3 Tesla MRI machine (Siemens), 640 CT machine (Toshiba), other equipment Advanced endoscope EVIS EXERA III (Olympus Japan), Avace high-end anesthesia system, Hybrid operating room according to international standards... The Cardiovascular Center at Vinmec International General Hospital has achieved many successes. work and gain the trust of a large number of patients.

Reference source: healthline.com