Are you ready for a Half Marathon? – Viamed Health

More and more of us enjoy running. We train for months to achieve a challenge like a half marathon: improve times, improve ourselves, experience the environment and cross the finish line with pride. But there is something equally important as preparing our legs: making sure our heart is ready for that effort.

In Viamed Health We believe that running is health… as long as we do it safely. Therefore, with the help of our specialists, such as Dr. Inma Novalwe want to remember why a preventive cardiological checkup is a smart decision, especially before a background test.

Why check your heart before running a half marathon?

A half marathon requires the body to work for a long time at a high intensity. It is normal to feel fatigue or notice an accelerated pulse, but it is also key to know that some cardiovascular problems can go unnoticed and manifest precisely during intense efforts.

It is not about alarming, but about preventing: just as we take care of nutrition, hydration or recovery, taking care of the heart should be part of training.

When is it advisable to have a cardiological checkup?

A preventive cardiological study is especially recommended if:

• You are going to participate in a half marathon (or increase your training load).
• You are over 35–40 years old and you play sports regularly.
• You have had periods of sedentary lifestyle and you are training again.
• You have a family history of heart disease.
• You have risk factors (hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, overweight, smoking).
• You have noticed symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, unusual shortness of breath, or excessive fatigue.
• If you have questions, it is best to consult with a specialist in any of our Viamed Hospitals: Prevention brings peace of mind.

Ergospirometry: the test that helps you run with safety and knowledge

Ergospirometry is one of the most complete tests to evaluate how the body responds to physical exercise. Unlike other examinations that are performed at rest, this test analyzes the functioning of the heart and lungs while the patient makes a progressive effort, allowing a real and dynamic view of their cardiovascular performance.

During the test, oxygen consumption, lung capacity and the heart’s response to effort are measured.offering very precise information about how the body tolerates the intensity of exercise. This allows us to detect possible alterations that could go unnoticed at rest and, at the same time, to know exactly the safe working ranges for each person.

In addition to its preventive value, ergospirometry provides great benefits in the field of sports performance. It allows training zones to be established in an objective and personalized way, helping the runner to optimize their sessions and avoid unnecessary overexertion.

Running calmly is also part of the objective

Preparing for a half marathon is a beautiful challenge. And being able to do it with confidence, knowing that you are taking care of your health, is part of the journey. At Viamed we want to accompany you before, during and after the race, with prevention, specialized care and a real commitment to sport and well-being in all our centers.