I'm having trouble exercising due to health problems.

Ever since I was a child, I've had a hard time jogging and running without having tightness in my chest and painful breathing. I was hoping to get tested for exercise-induced asthma, but my doctor hasn't referred me to anyone.

What makes it worse is that I also have hypertension and tachycardia, which can make it difficult to exercise if my blood pressure and heart rate spike.

Does anyone have any advice on what kind of exercises I could do that won't make it hard for me to breathe or cause stress on my heart? Thank you.

Hello aspie_science_nerd: Unfortunately, the Skeezyks doesn't really know anything about this really. What I do is walk. In fact, if I add it all up, I may some days spend upwards of 3 hours or so in a day walking... occasionally more... (not all at once.) I don't "power walk". In fact, some of the walking I do is sort-of a walking meditation. So it is very slow. I've also done some yoga & also some simple Tai Chi in the past. However, I don't do these at this point simply because I spend so much time each day walking (as well as so much here on PC!)

I would think that perhaps the best idea for you might be to get a referral, from your doctor, to a physical therapy provider... or perhaps to a physical medicine & rehabilitation clinic. But if these sorts of things are not options, perhaps you might consider combining some walking with some yoga , Tai Chi, or other similar activity? Just a few random ideas...

Good luck!

Start with low straining/stress activities like mentioned above like walking and yoga, yoga is effective for body and stress relief. For long distances and increase the distance by a mile or two every outing. The importance is to take your time eventually and gradually moving up to a moderate strenuous cardiac excersizes, like going uphill with no breaks.

please DO NOT quote ANY SELECTION of my post. thank you. have a good day.

Hi Aspie. I'm sorry you are having the difficulties in exercising, it is such a necessary thing to feeling good. I know it is not exercise, it is strengthening, but have you tried weight lifting? You see fast results in weight lifting and it causes weight loss due to the build of muscle. Maybe with the benefit of these two things, your other problems with exercising will diminish some to where you could do some form of light exercise. Remember to be happy with who you are either way Aspie.

Really your doctor should have advised you on exercise with your existing complaints, I would advise going back.

Gentle swimming and yoga are usually fine for most people as they are low impact but I'd check with your Dr first to be sure.

Tia Chi is recommended for all sorts of people with mobility issues. It is very slow and helps with balance. I enjoyed it while I was going and have plans to start again.

I have heard good things about yoga as well though I have never tried it.

If your dr isn't a lost cause try ask again for help. If your dr is a lost cause try switching dr's. Dr's are suppose to help not hinder your progress.