Know the signs that mean stop and get help

Working hard can feel uncomfortable: faster breathing, warm muscles, a bit of sweat. That's normal effort. Some signs, though, mean you should stop right away.

Stop, sit or lie down, and call 9-1-1 if you notice signs of a heart attack. Heart & Stroke lists:

• Chest discomfort: pressure, squeezing, fullness, pain, burning or heaviness
• Discomfort in the neck, jaw, shoulder, arms or back
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating, nausea or light-headedness

Signs can vary. Heart & Stroke notes that women can have a heart attack without chest pressure.

Stop the exercise and check in with a health professional if you have:

• Pain during a movement. ACSM says pain during exercise signals a problem and the exercise should be stopped.
• Dizziness or light-headedness during activity
• Pain or swelling that doesn't settle

Try this today: Save this list on your phone and share it with your workout partner or family. Knowing the signs ahead of time makes it easier to act quickly.

Safety note: When in doubt, stop. You can always pick the workout up another day.

Sources

• Heart & Stroke: Signs of a heart attack (opens in a new tab)
• ACSM Information On: Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), American College of Sports Medicine, 2011 (archived copy of acsm.org) (opens in a new tab)
• CSEP Get Active Questionnaire (opens in a new tab)