Do medical checkup before vigorous exercise, expert warns

Abuja – An Abuja-based  medical practitioner on Tuesday warned Nigerians to endeavour to know the state of their health before engaging in vigorous exercises to prevent heart attack.

Dr Theresa Ikenwachukwu, Health Management Expert, who is in charge of the Abuja Children’s Home, in Karu, FCT, gave the warning in an interview.

Ikenwachukwu said the exercise could be dangerous when the person failed to know that he was hypertensive or had heart disease.

“It is always good to know the state of your health before engaging in any vigorous exercise, try to check your blood pressure and other tests to know the condition of your health.

“Exercise must not be vigorous; one can form the habit of using stairs instead of the lift, walk around the house or stroll along the street.”

She urged people to cultivate the habit of regular exercise because it enabled one to get rid of excess fat and also to get more oxygen into the body.

The doctor also advised expectant mothers to engage in regular exercises as such would keep their organs to be active because they had the tendency of developing hypertension.

“Our body is like an engine of a car, when a car is parked for five to six months without moving it, all the parts become stiff, so we need exercise.”

According to medical journals, these include strengthening muscles and the cardiovascular system, honing athletic skills, weight loss or maintenance and for enjoyment.

Frequent and regular physical exercise boosts the immune system, and helps to prevent the `diseases of affluence’ such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.

It also improves mental health, helps prevent depression, helps to promote or maintain positive self-esteem, and can even augment an individual’s sex appeal or body image. (NAN)