Question:

I’m 48 and I’ve decided to start exercising regularly for the first time in my life. How might this affect the medications I take?

Answer from Express Scripts Canada Pharmacist, Janice Savini:

Congratulations on making a commitment to exercising regularly. Exercise improves health outcomes for dozens of conditions, including some obvious ones like obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol. But also less obvious conditions like depression, Parkinson’s, asthma, and even cancer.

Here are some important suggestions:

• If you’ve never exercised regularly, if you’ve recently had surgery, experienced chest pain or have a serious condition like heart disease or cancer, check with your doctor to make sure that the exercise you’ve chosen won’t put your health at risk.
• Don’t try to do too much. Especially if you have a heart condition, ask your doctor what is a safe heart rate and don’t exceed it.
• Some medications keep your heart rate down artificially. Some medications may make you drowsy. Ask your doctor if you are at risk.
• If you have diabetes, keep a close eye on your blood sugar.
• Finally, choose exercises that won’t make your condition worse.

Good luck with your exercise journey.