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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Swimming Safe While Suffering From Asthma?

I am a 66 year old master swimmer, female in good shape with slight asthma problems, easily controlled, use my inhaler infrequently. What happens to your body, heart, lungs and BP when you sprint as fast as you can? I know your heart rate increases, does your BP go up? What signs would I have that I have pushed myself too hard? I can do repeats for awhile but I can t keep up with the kids. (40 year olds)
Sat, 28 Jul 2018
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Yes, swimming is safe only if your asthma is well controlled. Swimming is considered as aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise causes tachycardia (rapid heart rate), slightly elevated blood pressure (not hypertension), tachypnea (rapid breathing) etc. So if your asthma is not controlled, you might face difficulty in breathing. You are not keeping up with young ones. This might be due to uncontrolled asthma. So better to consult pulmonologist and get done clinical examination of respiratory system and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test). PFT will tell you about severity of asthma and treatment is based on severity only. You will need regular inhaled bronchodilators (formoterol or salmeterol) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) (budesonide or fluticasone). Take your inhalers regularly to keep your asthma in control.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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Is Swimming Safe While Suffering From Asthma?

Hello and welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Yes, swimming is safe only if your asthma is well controlled. Swimming is considered as aerobic exercise. Aerobic exercise causes tachycardia (rapid heart rate), slightly elevated blood pressure (not hypertension), tachypnea (rapid breathing) etc. So if your asthma is not controlled, you might face difficulty in breathing. You are not keeping up with young ones. This might be due to uncontrolled asthma. So better to consult pulmonologist and get done clinical examination of respiratory system and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test). PFT will tell you about severity of asthma and treatment is based on severity only. You will need regular inhaled bronchodilators (formoterol or salmeterol) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) (budesonide or fluticasone). Take your inhalers regularly to keep your asthma in control. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.