Why does your heart need a check-up before running?
Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, staying active, and exercising for specific periods of time throughout the day are some recommendations and tips that have been made to improve quality of life and health; however, it is important to keep in mind that if a person enjoys jogging, running, or is passionate about running or athletics, it is necessary, regardless of age, to have a checkup to determine the condition of their heart. Dr. Juan Camilo García, a cardiology specialist, explains the importance of consulting a specialist when running for a considerable amount of time or when there is an interest in running or participating in sports competitions.
Every patient, even young ones, should have a cardiovascular medical evaluation with an internist, a sports medicine specialist, or a cardiologist. This is especially important for patients over 45 years of age, as the prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular diseases and the risk of developing coronary artery disease increase with age.
At more advanced ages, it is necessary to follow a modified protocol that allows for the evaluation of any risk from a cardiovascular perspective.
For heart checkups, several tests can be useful, such as exercise stress tests, electrocardiograms (ECGs), and stress tests. These allow doctors to evaluate the heart's electrical activity during peak exertion to analyze whether there are changes that suggest coronary artery disease, whether there is any type of malignant or benign arrhythmia during exercise, or whether patients experience syncope, which is a loss of consciousness.
Likewise, it is important to note that these tests can identify how blood pressure behaves during exercise and detect patients prone to sudden cardiac death.
Beware of warning signs
Among the main warning signs that people who run long distances or are starting out in running should be aware of are: chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, and feelings of faintness during exercise.
