Study Links Heart Scar Tissue to Abnormal Rhythms in Aging Male Endurance Athletes

A recent study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging has found that scar tissue in the heart is associated with abnormal heart rhythms among healthy, long-time male endurance athletes aged 50 or older, potentially increasing their risk of sudden cardiac death. The research, which involved 106 male cyclists and triathletes, discovered that nearly half of the participants showed signs of scarring on the left ventricle, with a small percentage experiencing dangerous heart rhythms.

The study, named VENTOUX after a notoriously difficult climb in the Tour de France, employed cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and ECG recorders to monitor the athletes over a two-year period. The findings highlighted a significant association between myocardial fibrosis and ventricular tachycardia, a serious condition that can lead to sudden cardiac death. Peter Swoboda, the study's senior author, stressed the importance of athletes seeking medical advice for symptoms such as chest pain or dizziness and recommended that those involved in sports familiarize themselves with CPR and AED use.

Despite providing valuable insights, the study's conclusions are limited by its small and homogeneous participant group, as well as its inability to establish a direct causal link between scarring and arrhythmias. Funded by various health organizations, this research calls for further studies to explore the cardiovascular risks that aging athletes, including women and non-European populations, may face.