Exercise and the Heart

Regular exercise has considerable benefits in terms of longevity and overall health. People who exercise frequently have a prolonged life expectancy and reduced risk of serious heart disease compared to those people who are inactive. Exercise also benefits psychological wellbeing.

• Does exercise cause any heart problems?
  

Despite the clear benefits of exercise, there is an increased tendency to some forms of heart abnormalities with high levels of aerobic exercise over time. Specifically endurance athletes can be prone to abnormal slowing of the heart beat which sometime requires treatment with a pacemaker. They can also suffer from an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (LINK) but it is often impossible to determine how much impact exercise has had on this since atrial fibrillation is incredibly common.

• Can I keep exercising?
  

With appropriate treatment of heart rhythm abnormalities it is usually possible (and desireable) for people to continue with very active lifestyles. This might require specialist advice and treatment from a cardiologist who is experienced in dealing with athletes (LINK TO PERFORMANCE CARDIOLOGY).