Researcher praises British Heart Foundation study for potentially being life-saving, as claimed by a former UCI President.
In a groundbreaking study, the University of Leeds, funded by the British Heart Foundation, has examined the heart health of veteran male endurance athletes, specifically cyclists and triathletes over the age of 50 who have trained intensely for many years. The study, led by Dr. Peter Swobada, found that a staggering 47% of the 106 athletes studied had scarring in their hearts, particularly in the left ventricle, the heart's main pumping chamber [1][4][5].
This heart scarring was linked to a significantly increased risk of abnormal heart rhythms. Athletes with scarring were over 4.5 times more likely to experience episodes of irregular heartbeats, including some potentially dangerous ventricular arrhythmias associated with a higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest [1][2][5]. To detect scarring and monitor heart rhythms, the athletes underwent cardiac MRI scans and were fitted with implantable loop recorders under the skin that monitored their heart rhythms continuously over approximately two years [2][4].
The findings highlight a potential cardiovascular health risk of extensive long-term endurance training in older male athletes. However, it is important to note that these athletes were generally asymptomatic before the study, making it difficult previously to understand the health implications of scarring for lifelong endurance athletes [4]. Some participants with detected dangerous arrhythmias were given urgent clinical assessment and interventions, such as implantable defibrillators, to reduce risk [1][4].
Brian Cookson, a former president of UCI and British Cycling, participated in this British Heart Foundation medical study investigating heart scarring. Cookson, an avid cyclist who has regularly competed at events like the Gran Fondo World Championships, was fitted with a small loop recorder "about the size of a computer memory stick" after tests at the University of Leeds [6].
Cookson's participation in the study may have saved his life. Last year, he experienced an "unusual episode" while training at the Manchester Velodrome. His new maximum heart rate was 238 bpm during the episode. Cookson was advised by researchers to avoid strenuous activity and was fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) to prevent more serious complications [1][4].
Cookson believes that his participation in the BHF study may have saved his life. He expressed gratitude towards the British Heart Foundation for funding the research that led to his participation in the study. Despite his experiences, Cookson plans to continue riding for fun and fitness, but he has adopted a more cautious approach to his training. He now monitors his heart rate and backs off when it reaches around 150 to avoid pushing beyond his limits [3].
Dr. Swobada emphasized that the results should not deter people from exercising completely. The study is an important step towards helping people participate in sports safely. Cookson agreed, advising that if one encounters anything uncertain during exercise, it is best to get it checked out by a professional [7].
The study stresses that while exercise is beneficial to heart health, there is a subgroup of veteran male endurance athletes who develop heart scarring that predisposes them to arrhythmias. More research is needed to identify athletes at risk and to develop safe exercise guidelines. The findings do not suggest that regular exercise should be avoided by the general population [1][5].
In summary, the study highlights a potential cardiovascular health risk of extensive long-term endurance training in older male athletes, showing that heart scarring is common in this group and significantly increases their risk of abnormal, potentially dangerous heart rhythms [1][2][4][5]. The study underscores the importance of regular health checks and careful monitoring for athletes who have been training intensely for many years.
References:
- BHF Press Release
- BBC News
- Cycling Weekly
- The Guardian
- The Telegraph
- BBC Sport
- The Independent
- The study at the University of Leeds, funded by the British Heart Foundation, explored the cardiovascular health of older male endurance athletes, specifically cyclists and triathletes, revealing a high incidence of heart scarring in the left ventricle.
- This heart scarring was found to be significantly linked to an increased risk of abnormal heart rhythms, making athletes with scarring over 4.5 times more likely to experience irregular heartbeats.
- Participants with detected dangerous arrhythmias underwent clinical assessment and intervention, such as the implantation of defibrillators, to reduce the risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
- Brian Cookson, a former president of UCI and British Cycling, participated in this medical study, as he was fitted with a loop recorder to monitor his heart rhythms after tests at the University of Leeds.
- Cookson's participation in the study may have saved his life, as he experienced an "unusual episode" while training and was subsequently advised to avoid strenuous activity and fitted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD).
- Dr. Swobada, the study's leader, emphasized that the results should not discourage people from exercising, but rather, help them participate in sports safely.7.More research is needed to identify veteran male endurance athletes at risk, develop safe exercise guidelines, and recognize that the findings do not suggest that regular exercise should be abandoned by the general population. The study underscores the importance of regular health checks and careful monitoring for athletes who have trained intensely for many years.
