Mani

10 tests one should do prior to starting running or doing any other exercises Videos of young, apparently healthy people collapsing (while running marathons, working out in a gym or while playing a sport) often go viral. This creates anxiety among people who are already doing exercise on a regular basis, or among someone who is contemplating to start running. However, the health-related benefits of exercise have been proven beyond doubt, and everyone should engage in exercises (a combination of aerobic and strength training) on a regular basis to reduce the risk of serious diseases and to increase longevity. The rare incidents of heart attacks or cardiac arrest in people (noted during running or other exercise) are often related to pre-existing heart diseases and risk factors (which were previously undiagnosed). Therefore, it is important to do preventive health check up and repeat them once a year. Here, I would list the 10 most important tests that should be done prior to starting fitness journey and once a year thereafter (or depending on your physician’s recommendation). 1. Blood pressure: Can be easily checked at home by a BP machine. Try to keep it below 130/80 mmHg, 2. Blood sugar (Fasting): Should be below 100 mg/dL, 3. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1C): Up to 5.6% is considered normal, 4. Lipid profile: Keep HDL>50, LDL<100, Triglycerides<150, and total cholesterol <200. Triglyceride/HDL ratio of 1 or lesser is considered very healthy. High TG:HDL, especially >3, indicates significant risk of heart attack and stroke, 5. ECG: Useful in detecting abnormal heart rhythms, 6. Echocardiogram: Very useful in detecting hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HOCM), a very common cause of sudden cardiac arrest in young athletes, 7. Homocysteine: A level >15 may increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, 8. Vitamin D: deficiency is common, can increase the risk of stress fracture, shin splints, etc, 9. Vitamin B12: deficiency is common especially in vegetarians, 10. Haemoglobin: Low haemoglobin (anaemia) can reduce the performance during exercise. (Disclaimer: The list & opinions here are general in nature and by no means exhaustive. Consult your physician and fitness trainer for a more specific advice on an individual basis). #running #exercise #cardiacarrest #heartattack2023 #MedTwitter Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM X:@hyderabaddoctor