Scar tissue in the heart has been associated with abnormal heart rhythms among healthy, long-time male endurance athletes aged 50 or older, potentially elevating their risk of sudden cardiac death, according to a study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging, an American Heart Association journal. The research, involving about 100 male cyclists and triathletes, suggests that myocardial fibrosis could be a significant factor in the development of ventricular tachycardia, a serious type of abnormal heart rhythm that can lead to sudden cardiac death.
The study, named VENTOUX after a challenging climb in the Tour de France, utilized cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and ECG recorders to monitor participants over two years. Findings revealed that nearly half of the athletes showed signs of heart scarring, with a small percentage experiencing sustained dangerous heart rhythms. Senior study author Peter Swoboda emphasized the importance of athletes being aware of symptoms like chest pain or dizziness and the value of CPR and automated external defibrillator knowledge in sports communities.
While the study sheds light on the potential risks for older male endurance athletes, it also acknowledges limitations, including its focus on a specific demographic and the inability to definitively link scarring directly to irregular heart rhythms. Future research aims to explore these findings in women and other groups, underscoring the need for broader studies to understand the implications of heart scarring in athletes fully.
