Which signs require stopping exercise and possibly referring for medical evaluation?

• A. Chest pain
• B. Mild fatigue after 5 minutes
• C. Slight dizziness resolved with water
• D. Headache after session but improving

Answer: (A)

When deciding whether to stop exercise and seek medical evaluation, the most urgent warning signs are those that point to a possible heart problem. Chest pain during activity is the clearest red flag because it can indicate that the heart isn’t getting enough blood, such as during angina or a heart attack. This risk is why you should stop immediately, rest, and pursue medical assessment right away, especially if the pain lasts more than a few minutes or comes with sweating, shortness of breath, or nausea.

The other signs shown—mild fatigue after a few minutes, slight dizziness that resolves with water, and a headache after a session that’s improving—are generally less alarming on their own. They can arise from factors like poor conditioning, heat, dehydration, or normal post-exercise effects. They don’t automatically require medical referral unless they persist, recur, worsen, or are accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain, fainting, severe confusion, or neurological changes.