Pay Attention to How You Feel
Select each item for more information.
Although regular activity is good for you, there are certain times you should not be active. Do not exercise or increase your activities when you:
- Have shortness of breath at rest or more symptoms than usual.
- Feel exhausted.
- Have a fever, infection, or feel ill.
- Have chest pain.
- Are going through a major change in your medication regimen.
- Have persistent muscle aches or pains in the body part you are exercising.
Although regular activity is good for you, there are certain times you should not be active. Do not exercise or increase your activities when you:
- Have shortness of breath at rest or more symptoms than usual.
- Feel exhausted.
- Have a fever, infection, or feel ill.
- Have chest pain.
- Are going through a major change in your medication regimen.
- Have persistent muscle aches or pains in the body part you are exercising.
During activity, watch for signs of overexertion that may be due to your heart condition. Signs of overexertion include:
- Shortness of breath that prevents you from completing a sentence.
- Shortness of breath that does not get better when you decrease or stop the activity.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Chest pain or tightness.
- Pain in your arms, shoulders, neck, or jaw.
- Irregular heart rate (pulse).
- Unusual or extreme fatigue.
- Severe sweating.
- Nausea, vomiting.
If you have any of these symptoms while being active, slow down. If the symptoms do not get better, stop the activity. Call 911 if your chest pain or other symptoms are not relieved.
During activity, watch for signs of overexertion that may be due to your heart condition. Signs of overexertion include:
- Shortness of breath that prevents you from completing a sentence.
- Shortness of breath that does not get better when you decrease or stop the activity.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Chest pain or tightness.
- Pain in your arms, shoulders, neck, or jaw.
- Irregular heart rate (pulse).
- Unusual or extreme fatigue.
- Severe sweating.
- Nausea, vomiting.
If you have any of these symptoms while being active, slow down. If the symptoms do not get better, stop the activity. Call 911 if your chest pain or other symptoms are not relieved.