Exercise is important for fitness, weight control and general health. In some cases, health crises or injuries can occur during exercise and may be made worse by continued exercise or failure to seek medical help. Learning the warning signs to stop exercising allows you to better distinguish between health emergencies and normal symptoms to increase the safety of your workout.
Chest Pain
While rare, heart attacks can sometimes occur during intense exercise. Chest pain is a primary symptom of heart attack for many people. According to the American Heart Association, feelings of pain or pressure in the center of the chest may signal a heart attack. Other symptoms include nausea, discomfort in the neck or back, and difficulty breathing. While not all chest pain is linked to heart attack, it's important to stop exercising and seek help quickly if it occurs.
Shortness of Breath
Difficulty breathing, also known as shortness of breath, is normal to some degree while exercising. When severe, it can signal an underlying problem like an asthma attack. The Mayo Clinic lists shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing as possible signs of an asthma attack. Exercise-induced asthma usually occurs during a workout and can last for 10 to 15 minutes after completing exercise. The difference between normal shortness of breath and exercise-induced asthma is the severity of symptoms. Avoiding exercising in cold, dry climates can help prevent exercise-induced asthma attacks for some people. If you suspect an asthma attack, stop exercising immediately and use a rescue medication such as an inhaler to control symptoms.
Joint or Muscle Pain
Exercise works a variety of muscles and often results in next-day soreness; however, sharp or severe pain that occurs during exercise may signal an injury. A torn ligament, sprained ankle or joint injury can cause intense pain that is different from simple soreness and should serve as a sign to stop exercising and seek medical evaluation. Wearing proper safety gear like knee pads and wrist guards when engaging in sports and other high-intensity workouts can help prevent or minimize injury.
Dizziness/Confusion
Dizziness, confusion and other neurological symptoms that occur while exercising can be signs of an underlying problem. According to the Mayo Clinic, lightheadedness, irritability, dizziness and confusion are possible symptoms of heatstroke, a potentially fatal condition. Heatstroke occurs when the body cannot cool itself down efficiently, resulting in an excessively high body temperature. Other symptoms include cessation of sweating, changes in blood pressure and shallow breathing. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding excessively hot temperatures when exercising can help prevent heatstroke.
