-
We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Athlete's Heart: What You Need to Know
Introduction
'Athlete’s heart' is a term used to describe the physiological changes that occur in the hearts of people who engage in long-term, intensive endurance or strength training. These changes are generally adaptive and beneficial but can sometimes be mistaken for heart disease. Understanding the difference is crucial for both athletes and healthcare providers.
What Happens to the Heart?
Regular and intense exercise stimulates the heart to grow in a controlled way, leading to: - Increased heart size (cardiac hypertrophy) - Enlarged left ventricle to pump more blood efficiently - Lower resting heart rate (bradycardia) due to enhanced efficiency - Improved cardiac output to meet the increased oxygen demands of an athlete’s body
Is It Dangerous?
For most people, athlete’s heart is a healthy adaptation that improves physical performance. However, it’s important to distinguish it from pathological conditions such as: - Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) – A genetic disorder that thickens the heart muscle abnormally - Dilated Cardiomyopathy – A condition where the heart enlarges pathologically, weakening its function - Arrhythmias – Some athletes may experience irregular heartbeats, which should be evaluated to rule out underlying heart disease
Diagnosis
Doctors use various tools to differentiate athlete’s heart from heart disease, including: - Electrocardiogram (ECG) to examine heart rhythms - Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) to assess heart structure - MRI or Stress Tests to further evaluate unclear cases If the heart returns to normal size and function after several months of exercise cessation, it usually confirms athlete’s heart.
When to See a Doctor?
Athletes should consult a cardiologist if they experience: - Chest pain - Dizziness or fainting - Unexplained shortness of breath - Irregular heartbeats These symptoms could indicate an underlying heart issue rather than simple athletic adaptation.
Conclusion
Athlete’s heart is usually a benign adaptation to intense training, but proper medical evaluation ensures that no serious conditions are overlooked. Regular screening is recommended, especially for competitive athletes.
Source recommendations
1. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines on Sports Cardiology
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/sports-cardiology-and-exercise-in-patients-with-cardiovascular-disease
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/1/17/5898937
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32860412/
- https://www.escardio.org/Sub-specialty-communities/European-Association-of-Preventive-Cardiology-(EAPC)/About/Sports-Cardiology-and-Exercise-Section
- https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2020/08/29/13/20/2020-esc-guidelines-on-sports-cardiology-esc-2020
2. American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines on Competitive Athletes and Heart Screening
- https://www.heart.org/en/news/2022/08/16/screening-young-athletes-for-heart-disease
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000238
- https://www.heart.org/-/media/Files/About-Us/Policy-Research/Policy-Positions/Healthy-Children-and-Schools/Athlete-Screening.pdf
- https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2016/0715/p170.html
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17353433/
-
If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.