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Heart complications in Endurance Athletes
Brief Background

The term "heart complication" is often exchanged with cardiovascular disease. Cardiovascular disease generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels, hypertrophy of the heart muscle which can ultimately lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina) or stroke. Complications assossiated with the heart include :


 * Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
 * Lone Atrial Fibrillation
 * Heart Hypertrophy
 * Fibrosis of the heart.

Heart complications are existent and common amongst Australians.Specifically, nine out of ten Australian based endurance athletes have developed heart abnormalities, some severe and others manageable.

Explanation/Diagnosis

Diagnosis of heart complications in endurance athletes is usually an incidental finding during screening or tests for other medical related concerns. Abnormalities of the heart can be detected via:


 * Echocardiography (displays size and shape of the heart)


 * Chest X-ray (Utilizes radiography to show heart and lung structure)


 * Blood Tests (Tests levels of hormones and minerals essential for heart health).

In some cases if diagnosis is similar to other clinically relevant heart abnormalities then this may prompt the following:


 * ECG (electrical impulses that record heart activity)


 * Stress Test (Measures response of the heart to stressful situations).

For confirmation of the clinical diagnosis, cardiology specialist will look for these following symptoms:


 * Infrequent heart rhythm


 * Chest pain


 * Abdominal pain or discomfort


 * Shortness of breath


 * Exercise intolerance


 * Depletion of energy


 * Increased fatigue.

Treatment

Deconditioning is the decrease in intensity from exercise. Primarily used as a method of treatment for heart abnormalities in endurance based athletes. Deconditioning over a period of 3 months will allow the heart to return to regular function and structure. .

Medications that assist in treatment of heart complications and abnormalities include:


 * Warfarin (Blood thining agent)


 * Digoxin (Regulates blood pressure)


 * Beta Blockers (Slows heart rate)


 * Calcium Channel blockers (Heart rate regulator)

Recommendations

Seeking medical advice prior to the continuation of endurance based training is highly advisable before restructuring a training schedule. Diagnosis can help evaluate individuals heart complication risks, thus allowing them to set specific training intensity and duration.

Moderate and even high intensity exercise is fine however, persistent and vigorous exercise can be problematic.

Further Reading


 * The Heart Foundation


 * Cycling Tips

Reference List