{"id":25684,"date":"2023-09-22T14:29:58","date_gmt":"2023-09-22T12:29:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.220triathlon.com\/?p=148751"},"modified":"2023-09-22T14:46:05","modified_gmt":"2023-09-22T12:46:05","slug":"a-triathletes-guide-to-heart-health","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/rss_feed\/a-triathletes-guide-to-heart-health\/","title":{"rendered":"A triathlete\u2019s guide to heart health"},"content":{"rendered":"

We all know how important it is to look after our muscles, but what about the most important one of all \u2013 our heart? Here\u2019s a triathlete\u2019s guide to keeping your ticker in check\u2026\u00a0 <\/p>

By Tim Heming\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 22 September 2023 at 12:29 PM<\/p>

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While we make a conscious effort not to pull a tight hamstring<\/a> or strain a niggly calf<\/a>, there\u2019s another more important muscle in the body that we should treat with even greater care, but perhaps rarely consider: our heart.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Research shows that exercise is generally good for the heart<\/strong><\/a>, but most of us are aware that, while rare, there can also be occasional complications \u2013 with different considerations for triathletes of different ages and different fitness levels.<\/p>\n

So, whether you\u2019re an up and coming junior or novice in your late 50s, we look at the steps you should take to make sure you\u2019re exercising safely, and give you peace of mind that you can carry on enjoying your swim, bike and running with confidence for years to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe headline is always that the benefits of exercise far outweigh the risks,\u201d says professor Dan Augustine, a consultant sports cardiologist from Bath. \u201cThe caveat is that if you\u2019re doing a high volume of exercise over a number of years, the heart can adapt, particularly in endurance sport.\u201d<\/p>\n

Augustine\u2019s opening remark sums up the challenge of covering heart health as a topic. While we shouldn\u2019t ignore the risks, we equally shouldn\u2019t lose sight of the fact that some level of exercise is almost universally preferable to staying sedentary.<\/p>\n

How widespread are heart issues? \u201cThe most recent data we have is from the Football Association,\u201d Augustine explains. \u201cThey followed people for up to 20 years and found that approximately one in every 300 that they screened had a cardiac issue that could potentially cause harm.\u201d<\/p>\n

The potential issues<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"man-cycling-heart\"\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Researchers typically split cohorts into under and over 35s. Or younger and masters athletes, if you prefer. \u201cThe cause of sudden death in an under 35 is usually rhythm disturbances of the heart \u2013 electrical activity that goes awry and causes a collapse or cardiac arrest,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe next most common cause is a structural problem of the heart muscle; being thicker or not pumping as well as it should. If you are younger, it\u2019s electrical problems or pump problems.\u201d<\/p>\n

Amateur triathletes over the age of 35 should consider different pathologies. \u201cOur overall cardiac risk increases as we get older no matter how fit we are,\u201d Augustine says. \u201cNinety percent of people dying of heart attacks will be in middle age or older.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake a view on your personal health first. Think about your age and your ethnicity. If you\u2019re Asian, like me, your risk is probably a bit higher than if you were caucasian.<\/p>\n

If you have a family history of early heart attacks (under 60) or other risk factors for coronary artery disease such as being a smoker, having diabetes, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol levels, that puts you a bit more at risk too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Heart rhythm issues can increase as we age, with the most prevalent being atrial fibrillation (AF) where one of the chambers in the heart pumps more irregularly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are studies that show if you have been an endurance athlete over a number of years your likelihood of having AF in your latter years \u2013 over 50 \u2013 is higher than the age-matched sedentary cohort,\u201d Augustine says. \u201cThat risk is greater if you\u2019re a man, and of bigger stature.\u201d<\/p>\n

As ever though it\u2019s a mixed picture. Studies show that the people who exercise and have AF also have a lower chance of a stroke, probably because they\u2019re more healthy in other areas such as blood pressure and cholesterol.<\/p>\n