If you are suffering from an infection or illness causing a fever, it is safest to wait for the illness to resolve before doing any exercise. There are also some medical conditions when it is important to get medical help before considering any exercise.

Fever

If you are suffering from an infection or illness causing a fever, it is safest to wait for the illness to resolve before you do any energetic exercise.

When to get immediate medical help

There are some times when it is important to get immediate medical help and not exercise until you have done so. While this list may look frightening, it is important to understand that all of these conditions will cause substantial and significant symptoms which will alert you that something is not right.

  1. Recent heart attack (myocardial infarction) in the last few days: When you do want to resume your more energetic exercise after a heart attack, it is safest to do this in a supervised environment
  2. Unstable angina: Any chest pain which has not already been assessed by a doctor should be assessed before starting a new exercise programme. If you do suffer with angina and it is getting more frequent or coming on at rest, you should seek urgent medical advice.
  3. Uncontrolled abnormal heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia): any palpitations which cause you to feel dizzy, severe shortness of breath or chest pain or a feeling that something isn’t quite right should be assessed by a doctor immediately.
  4. Blood clot on the lungs (pulmonary embolism): Sudden onset of new breathlessness or chest pain should be assessed urgently by a doctor
  5. Active endocarditis or myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle or surrounding membrane). This is likely to cause shortness of breath often with fever, palpitations and chest pain. If you have these symptoms, you should talk to your doctor before exercising.
  6. Severe aortic stenosis (narrowing of the valve leaving the heart). This is likely to cause severe shortness of breath and fatigue. If you have these symptoms it’s important to talk to your doctor.
  7. Acute aortic dissection (a tear in the major blood vessel leaving the heart). This is likely to cause sudden, severe and unaccustomed chest or mid back pain often with dizziness or fainting, shortness of breath or stroke-like symptoms (visual change, weakness or difficulty speaking). If you develop any of these symptoms you should get immediate medical help.
  8. Uncontrolled heart failure. This would cause severe and worsening shortness of breath, potentially with palpitations and chest pain.

These are the absolute contra-indications to cardiopulmonary exercise testing as described by the American College of Sports medicine.

When to ask for further advice from your medical team

There are also some additional conditions where it is important to seek medical help and advice before embarking on a new exercise programme

  1. Very high blood pressure. If your systolic (top reading) blood pressure is consistently over 200mmHG and your diastolic (bottom reading) is consistently over 110mmHG, you should make sure this is treated before embarking on a new exercise programme. If you take medications for high blood pressure, you should make sure you cool down slowly to avoid your blood pressure dropping suddenly when you stop.
  2. Heart Valve Disease. These can cause shortness of breath and dizziness in particular. If you experience these symptoms it’s important to talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise programme
  3. Cardiomyopathy, like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. If you have this diagnosis it is important to talk to your heart team about how to exercise safely.
  4. Uncontrolled diabetes or complications of diabetes

Important. If you have any medical condition that has not been assessed and treated and that makes you feel anxious about exercise, have a look at the conditions pages and, if you are still unsure, talk to your doctor.

Pregnancy

Exercise in pregnancy is generally very safe and good for both mum and baby. This website is not specifically focussed on pregnancy or postnatal periods of life, but you can find out lots of information about how to exercise safely and when to seek help here.

Active Pregnancy Foundation support women to stay active throughout pregnancy and beyond, by providing expertise & advice, changing culture & challenging policy.