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Pain

Safe exercise: Know the warning signs of pushing too hard

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Pain and certain other symptoms during exercise are not normal. Red flags fall into four categories: chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and joint pain. Experiencing any of these symptoms during physical activity is a sign that one should stop exercising and call a doctor, such as a primary care physician or a specialist for a known underlying cause. Ignoring symptoms and pushing through an exercise may cause damage to the heart or muscles. 

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