Underlying heart defects could trigger severe cardiac complications during a workout session. Hence, it is advisable for middle-aged individuals to do heart-screening tests before hitting the gym.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a painless and simple test that reads the electrical activity in the heart at rest. Even subtle changes can be made out in cases of structural heart diseases.
In a TMT, the person is made to walk on the treadmill machine while the heart rate is noted through an ECG monitor. It monitors the heart’s response to physical exertion.
With echo, one can find out if there is any structural problem like valvular heart disease or any drastic thinning of the heart.
Routine check-ups after the age of 35, especially for people with an already existing family history of heart disease or diabetes, are very important.
This is adopted by gym trainers to ascertain the cardiac status of their clients. If they can talk while on the treadmill without breathing too hard, then intensity is gradually increased.
Before going to the gym, one must check their family history, if anyone had a cardiac death or a heart attack, specially for middle-aged people (those inching towards 40).