Individuals planning strenuous exercise advised to undergo health screening

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Cardiovascular specialist Ade Meidian Ambari has highlighted the need for health screening for individuals planning to engage in strenuous or high-intensity exercise to minimise health risks. “There have been many incidents where people who were not screened exercised and died. Exercise should improve fitness and reduce risk factors, but instead it becomes dangerous,” said Dr Ade Meidian Ambari, Sp.JP, FIH, in Jakarta on Thursday. “The higher the intensity of your exercise, the more you need screening. If you are not used to exercising and suddenly run a full marathon, what happens? A heart attack,” he said after the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Indonesian Heart Association (ASMIHA). The chairperson of the Indonesian Association of Cardiovascular Specialists said people who are not accustomed to exercise should undergo screening before taking up moderate to high-intensity activities such as playing football or running a marathon. Health checks are necessary to detect risk factors, such as a family history of heart disease and symptoms like chest pain and palpitations. “We can perform an ECG, an echocardiogram, a cardiac ultrasound, or blood tests for screening. If all results are good, we can start exercising,” Dr Ade said. He noted that individuals who are not used to exercising are at risk of heart problems if they suddenly engage in high-intensity exercise. “For example, someone who never cycles and then joins a peloton, that is dangerous and could cause a heart attack,” he said. “We know that for athletes or people who exercise regularly, those under 35 most often die from heart rhythm disorders. But for those over 35, the most common cause is a heart attack from a total blockage in the coronary arteries,” he explained.