A recent study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging has found a concerning link between scar tissue in the heart and the risk of dangerous heart rhythms among healthy, long-time male endurance athletes aged 50 or older. The research, named VENTOUX after the challenging Mont Ventoux climb in the Tour de France, involved 106 male cyclists and triathletes who trained at least 10 hours a week for 15 years or more. These athletes showed no symptoms of heart disease prior to the study.

Using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and an implanted ECG recorder, researchers discovered that nearly half of the participants had signs of scarring on the left ventricle of the heart. Furthermore, about 3% experienced sustained, potentially dangerous fast heart rates originating in the lower chambers of the heart, with 19% having shorter bursts of rapid heartbeats. These findings are significant as ventricular tachycardia, a serious type of abnormal heart rhythm, can lead to sudden cardiac death, a leading cause of death in athletes, particularly older men.

Senior study author Peter Swoboda, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., emphasized the unexpected strength of the association between scarring and dangerous rhythms in healthy athletes. He advised athletes experiencing chest pain, dizziness, or palpitations during activity to seek medical attention and highlighted the importance of CPR knowledge and the use of automated external defibrillators in sports settings.

The study’s limitations include its small, selective participant pool, which may not represent women, non-athletes, or non-European cyclists. Additionally, the research could not definitively determine whether the cardiac scarring caused the irregular heart rhythms or was a marker for another underlying process. Future studies aim to include women to further understand these risks.

Funded by the British Heart Foundation and other organizations, this study underscores the need for ongoing research and awareness of heart health in endurance sports, especially as athletes age. The findings contribute to the broader conversation on how to safely continue participation in high-intensity sports over time.

This news story relied on content distributed by None. Blockchain Registration, Verification & Enhancement provided by NewsRamp. The source URL for this press release is Scar Tissue in Athletes’ Hearts Linked to Higher Risk of Dangerous Cardiac Rhythms.