More Is Not Always Better With Exercise – Here’s What’s Best for Heart Health

 

The majority of people find that the risks of physical activity are outweighed by the benefits.  

However, participation in extreme sports like marathons and triathlons carries an increased risk of heart problems for those who have not received adequate training or who have underlying heart conditions that have not yet been identified. 

According to a new Scientific Statement titled "Exercise-Related Acute Cardiovascular Events and Potential Deleterious Adaptations Following Long-Term Exercise Training: A Review", extreme endurance exercise, such as participating in marathons and triathlons, for people who aren't accustomed to high-intensity exercise, can raise the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, atrial fibrillation, or heart attacks for the majority of people. Placing the Risks in Perspective: An Update from the American Heart Association, which was published on (February 26, 2020) in the most prestigious journal of the Association, Circulation, 

Activities in which the large muscles move in a rhythmic manner for an extended period of time are referred to as "aerobic exercises". They should be possible at low power or focused energy and incorporate strolling, energetic strolling, running, bicycling, swimming, and numerous others. 

The benefits of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for cardiovascular health are undeniable, and exercise is medicine. According to Barry A. Franklin, PhD, chair of the writing committee for the new Scientific Statement, director of preventive cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation at Beaumont Health in Royal Oak, Michigan, and professor of internal medicine at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in Rochester, Michigan, "more is not always better and can lead to cardiac events, particularly when performed by inactive, unfit individuals with known or undiagnosed heart disease". 

"A growing number of people are competing in marathons, triathlons, and high-intensity interval training". "The reason for this assertion is to put the advantages and dangers of these overwhelming activity programs in context", he said

For the vast majority of people, the risks are outweighed by the benefits of exercise and improving physical fitness. People who regularly walk lower their risk of heart attack and sudden cardiac death by up to 50%. However, the committee also found that intense exercise training could come with risks. 

The writing group also looked at a small study that found that people who do high-intensity exercise like marathons and triathlons have a low risk of sudden cardiac death or a heart attack. However, over time, male marathon participants' risk of heart attack or sudden cardiac death has increased, indicating that these events are attracting participants at higher risk (those who may have an underlying or undiagnosed cardiovascular condition like heart rhythm abnormalities or a previous heart attack). The rate of sudden cardiac death in women, who made up only 15% of the study population, was 3 times lower than in men. 

Nearly 40% of cardiac events among triathletes occurred in first-time participants, indicating either inadequate training or underlying heart issues. Furthermore, the writing group discovered: 

Maintaining a steady pace rather than sprinting is advised because the final mile of a marathon or half-marathon is where half of cardiac events occur; 

Spending at least one day acclimating to the elevation before engaging in strenuous activity lowers the risk of cardiac events at high altitudes. The risk of atrial fibrillation, a common heart arrhythmia that increases the risk of stroke, is beneficially reduced by moderate exercise, but it is highest in sedentary individuals and almost as high in high-intensity exercisers, those who run 60-80 miles per week