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Don’t train too hard! Risk of fatal heart problems doubles if your exercise regimen is too intense, study finds
- British researchers have examined the heart health of more than 70,000 people
- Athletes 2.5 times more likely to have irregular heart rhythms
- The threat was even greater among young athletes, aged 55 and under
Strenuous exercise can double your risk of developing a life-threatening heart problem, study finds.
British researchers have examined the heart health of more than 70,000 people, about one in ten of whom regularly compete in sports.
They found that athletes are 2.5 times more likely to have irregular heart rhythms or atrial fibrillation, a relatively common condition that can lead to strokes and heart failure.
The threat was even greater in young athletes, aged 55 and under, whose risk of atrial fibrillation was 3.6 times that of non-athletes.
Heavy exercise can double your risk of developing a life-threatening heart problem, study finds
Those who played mixed team sports – such as soccer, rugby, or netball – were at higher risk than endurance athletes, such as rowers, runners, or cyclists.
Research, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, supports previous studies suggesting that exercise is only good for your heart up to a certain point.
Experts said that once people’s exercise levels start to exceed national guidelines for physical activity, the prevalence of heart problems starts to rise again.
Lead author Dr Jamie O’Driscoll, Canterbury Christ Church University, said: “The relative risk of atrial fibrillation is higher in athletes than in those who do not exercise or activity regular and uncompetitive physique. “
However, he pointed out that, overall, physical activity improves cardiovascular health – reducing the risk of high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol – and reduces the risk of death.
Heart disease rates were lower in the athlete group for this reason.
The study follows several high-profile cases of athletes who suffered sudden heart failure.
These include Danish footballer Christian Eriksen, who suffered cardiac arrest during his team’s Euro opener last month.
The former Tottenham player was released from hospital a week later after being fitted with a cardiac starting device.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disturbance, affecting around 1.4 million people in the UK. It can affect adults of any age, but is more common in older people.
The disease causes an irregular and often abnormally rapid heart rate, which increases the risk of stroke by a factor of five.
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