Research Corner - Q&A Red Face After Cardio by Ben Greenfield | Date Released : 12 Dec 2008 0 comments Print Close Question: Whenever I go for a run or do cardio at the gym, my face turns an embarrassingly deep shade of red and refuses to calm down for hours after my workout. This “cardio blush” causes me some embarrassment after my workout and certainly gets me some looks as I walk back to the office. Is there something I am doing wrong during my workout that is causing this? Is there any way of avoiding it or any techniques that will help tone it down? Answer: There are several possible causes of your exercise “blush.” If you are taking either niacin or a high dose of vitamin B, you can experience a hot flushed feeling over the chest and face that is harmless but annoying. The latter is often found in “energy drinks.” This flush is caused by a compound called nicotinuric acid, which can cause dilation of blood vessels. In most cases, the flush can be improved by simply staying very well hydrated and by making sure you consume any niacin or vitamin B with your larger meals of the day. Aspirin can also help break a flush. Asthma or bronchoconstriction can give you a red face. Inadequate oxygen can cause a rush of blood to the extremities, so you may want to inspect your breathing habits before, during and after your workout. Learn deep breathing exercises and practice each day expanding your lungs and performing deep diaphragmatic breathing, especially before exercise. One highly effective drill involves breathing deeply in through the nose, holding the breath within your stomach for five to 10 seconds, then slowly exhaling through pursed lips. Exercise and heat can trigger a condition called “rosacea,” in which you have an abnormal amount of blood vessels in your face. Typically, in addition to facial redness and flushing, you’ll notice prominent facial blood vessels, thickening and redness of the nose and large oil glands (yellowish bumps on the face). If you notice these symptoms, it is highly recommended that you see a dermatologist, who can prescribe medications to manage the type of bacteria that can cause rosacea. Back to top About the author: Ben Greenfield Ben is a fitness business coach, triathlon author, and sports nutritionist. He was voted in 2008 as the Personal Trainer of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. Ben is Director of Sports Performance and oversees the physiology and biomechanics laboratory at Champions Sports Medicine in Spokane, Washington, which offers metabolic-based weight loss, bicycle fitting, running gait analysis, swim stroke analysis, VO2 max testing, blood lactate testing, resting metabolic rate analysis and more. Ben now competes as the #1 ranked triathlete for Triathlon Northwest. As an author of multiple books on fitness, metabolism, and diet, Ben specializes in nutrition, weight loss, triathlete analysis, coaching, and endurance athlete program design. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University of Idaho in sports science and exercise physiology. Ben is a frequent contributor to the outdoor sports magazine OutThere Monthly and has been featured in the Spokesman-Review, Inlander magazine, In-Health magazine and Inside Triathlon magazine. As a public speaker on fitness, nutrition, and training, Ben has been the keynote lecturer at the Hawaii Ironman World Championships Medical Conference, the Coeur D’Alene Ironman Medical Conference, Fleet Feet Sports Endurance Sports Clinic and REI Nutrition Clinic. Ben is the owner of Pacific Elite Fitness, an online multi-sport coaching and training service and also sits on the board of directors for Tri-Fusion triathlon team and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Ben's additional websites include:www.enduranceplanet.com www.rockstartriathlete.com www.trainfortopdollar.com Full Author Details Related content Content from Ben Greenfield Coughing with Cardio Joshua Rubin | Articles Blurred Vision with Cardio Dr. Rob Orr | Articles Red Marks from Lifting Weights Mike Demora | Articles Niacin Scott Pullen | Articles Red Tingling Hands Mike Demora | Articles Swollen Fingers, Red Hands Mike Demora | Articles Social Networking Ben Greenfield | Articles Red Face After Cardio Ben Greenfield | Articles Mobile Training - Part 2 Ben Greenfield | Articles Mobile Training - Part 1 Ben Greenfield | Articles Please login to leave a comment Comments (0) Back to top