Should Smokers Exercise?

by KYW's medical editor Dr. Brian McDonough

It is estimated that one out of five Americans smoke cigarettes, but this doesn't stop them from exercising. Yet there is an important question.  Are they putting themselves at greater risk by getting that workout?

There have been numerous studies that have looked at the health risks of cigarette smoking, so just about everyone who smokes understands that they are putting themselves at risk for problems like emphysema, lung cancer and even heart disease. You can ask any cardiologist what he or she considers the greatest risk factor for heart disease and he or she will say smoking cigarettes. With all of these risks, is it a good idea to exercise if you are a smoker? The answer is yes, but there are things you need to consider.

If you have been a smoker for years and want to start an exercise program you can do it, but understand you need a careful workup with an EKG and probably a stress test.  If you are cleared it is a good idea to start slowly and kick the habit. If you are young and only started smoking relatively recently you've got time. However, if you are hoping that those workouts will make up for smoking, you can't outrun the damage caused by those cigarettes.