Is over-exercising bad for the heart?

Did you know super intense exercise can kill you? Here's how over-exercising can damage your heart.

By: Shraddha Rupavate | | Updated: February 24, 2015 4:03 pm

Physical exercise has long been recommended for preventing heart disease and improving heart health in people diagnosed with heart disease. But can too much of exercise be bad for the heart? Also Read - World Heart Day 2020: 8 unusual signs that indicate you may have a heart problem

Also Read - World Heart Day 2020: Take care of your heart, prevent cardiovascular disease

Well, if we rely on research, over-exercising has not only been identified as dangerous for the heart but has also been linked to an increased risk of dying due to heart attack and stroke. Also Read - World Heart Day 2020: What it takes to live a heart-healthy life?

Routine exercise, just like pharmacological agents, can have adverse-effects in case of over-dose, says Dr Vineet Sankhala, Consultant Interventional, Cardiologist Care Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS) and Hospital, Ahmedabad. Here are some abnormalities that may occur with over-exercising:

Arrhythmia: According to Dr Sankhala, extreme exercise may trigger rhythm abnormalities. Besides, there are several studies which show that over-exercise, especially in marathon runners and professional athletes, causes permanent changes in the impulses that trigger rhythm abnormalities. That’s why professional athletes may show abnormal ECG readings at times. The fact that abnormal arrhythmias can be fatal was emphasised after Micah True, a legendary marathoner, who died due to fatal heart damage while on his 12-mile training run in 2012. The condition was termed Phidippides cardiomyopathy.
Scarring of the heart muscle: Extreme exercise performed by marathon runners may even permanently damage the heart by causing scarring of the heart muscle,’ says Dr Sankhala.
Hardening of the arteries: Although, there are no confirmatory studies supporting it, researchers suggest that rapid circulation due to consistently excessive exercise may affect the walls of the arteries, making them stiff and hard.
Heart attack and stroke: A small percentage of heart attacks occur after heavy physical work, says Dr Sankhala. But the risk is greater in athletes who are subjected to chronic excessive endurance exercises.

Tips to avoid over-exercising:

The intensity of exercise for each individual will differ based on individual needs. So, a person suffering from heart disease may find low-intensity exercises too harsh, while a healthy individual may not. Dr Sankhala offers a few tips for people to avoid intense exercise:

Any form of exercise should be performed under proper guidance if you re doing it for the first time
People who have certain medical conditions like uncontrolled diabetes, seizures, uncontrolled high blood pressure, unstable angina, significant aortic valve disease, aortic aneurysm, and even those who have suffered a heart attack within the previous 6 months, should practise moderate exercise. People with moderate-to-severe hypertension should first focus on bringing their BP down before starting a vigorous exercise program.
The best form of exercise that protects the heart is short bursts of exertion, followed by periods of rest. By exercising in short bursts, followed by periods of recovery, you recreate exactly what your body needs for optimum heart health. Heart attacks don’t occur because your heart lacks endurance. They occur during times of stress, when your heart needs more energy and pumping capacity, but doesn’t have it.
If you have a history of heart disease or any other concerns, please get a clearance from your health care professional before exercising.

Image source: Getty images

You may also like to read:

For more articles on fitness and heart disease, visit our stress and heart disease section. Follow us on Facebook andTwitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for ournewsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our Questions and Answers section.

References:

James H. O’Keefe, Harshal R. Patil, Carl J. Lavie, Anthony Magalski, Robert A. Vogel, and Peter A. McCulloughd. Potential Adverse Cardiovascular Effects From Excessive Endurance Exercise. Mayo Clin Proc. Jun 2012; 87(6): 587 595. PMCID: PMC3538475

Published : September 22, 2014 6:41 pm | Updated:February 24, 2015 4:03 pm

Read Disclaimer