Athlete's Heart: Balancing Performance and Cardiac Well-Being

Introduction

An athlete's heart is a condition that describes the differences between a sportsperson's heart and a normal person's. Some normal changes occur in people who are involved in excessive sports training or exercises. These changes include increased size of ventricles and atrium. Increased thickness of muscle of the heart and increased width of blood vessels are also present. These changes happen over two years, and the body gets used to the changes. All the changes have a positive effect on health; it helps increase blood supply and oxygen to different body parts—enlarged chambers of the heart help in maximum cardiac output. Sometimes athletes' hearts get confused with heart diseases, so proper knowledge about athletes' heart differences is important.

What Is an Athlete's Heart?

An athlete's heart is a condition in which some changes happen in the heart because of intensive activity. These changes happen because of the demands of the body. Mostly these changes are normal and provide a positive health response. That is why proper knowledge and diagnosis are important.

How to Differentiate Between an Athlete's Heart and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy?

Sometimes an athlete's heart and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are similar in ECG (Electrocardiogram), but there are some differences present, which are listed below -

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy -

• In this condition, heart attacks and sudden death of athletes happen.

• This condition decreases the size of the left ventricle and spaces in the heart.

• This condition increases the wall thickness of the left ventricle.

Athlete's Heart -

• This condition does not cause heart attacks and sudden death in athletes.

• This condition increases the size of the left ventricle and spaces in the heart.

• The wall thickness of the left ventricle is lesser than the thickness of the left ventricle in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Who Is Affected by Athlete's Heart Conditions?

Athletes and other people involved with regular sports and exercise at least four to five hours per day can get affected by the athlete's heart. Athletes' hearts can affect two to three percent of athletes. It takes two years to happen and most commonly affects black athletes more than any other race.

What Are the Effects of Athletes' Hearts on the Body?

During exercise or sports, the body demands more oxygen, and the heart needs to work more. In this condition, the left ventricle started managing more blood and increased pressure than normal. Aorta receives oxygenated blood from the left ventricle and circulates it in the body. Steady demand for more oxygen and blood causes changes in left ventricle function and increases heart muscle size. Athletes' hearts occur because of the demands of the body. When people are not doing intensive physical activity, the body does not demand more blood and oxygen, and the heart starts working normally. People who have athletes' hearts have lower heart rates.

What Are the Symptoms of an Athlete's Heart?

In the case of athletes' hearts, there is bradycardia, cardiomegaly, and sometimes cardiac hypertrophy is present. If anyone is having chest pain or other kinds of problems, they must go to the doctor.

What Are the Causes of an Athlete's Heart?

Intensive exercises and endurance training cause the increased size of the heart and wall thickness of the left ventricles, leading to athletic heart syndrome.

Causes of the athletic heart are listed below -

• Intense physical activity and sports training athletic heart syndrome.

• Cycling.

• Swimming.

• Football.

• Hockey.

• Volleyball.

• Cross-country skiing.

How to Identify an Athlete's Heart?

A heart specialist will help diagnose an athlete's heart based on the signs and symptoms of the condition. The following tips help in diagnosing athletic heart-

• If any heart murmur sound is present, it could be a sign of an athlete's heart.

• Abnormal heartbeats.

• Decreased heart rate, also known as bradycardia, could signify an athlete's heart.

• Decreased blood pressure.

• The presence of any sound other than the normal heart sound could be a sign of an athlete's heart.

What Is the Diagnostic Test for an Athlete's Heart?

Following are the test for diagnosis of athlete's heart -

• X-ray (chest).

• MRI - Heart (it is a rare test).

• Stress test (it is a rare test),

• Echocardiogram.

• Electrocardiogram.

• Cardiopulmonary test.

• Clinical evolution.

What Is the Treatment for an Athlete's Heart?

Athlete heart syndrome does not need any treatment. The doctor may advise rest for a period of three to four months. If intensive physical activity is stopped, the condition of the athlete's heart relaxes, and the heart returns to its previous size and function. Some people have to live with a large heart.

How to Prevent Athlete’s Hearts?

1. Regular Exercise: Engage in regular aerobic exercises, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling, for at least 150 minutes per week. This helps strengthen the cardiovascular system and improve heart health.

2. Balanced Diet: Follow a well-balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit the intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and foods high in saturated and trans fats.

3. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Aim for a healthy weight range based on the body mass index (BMI). Excess weight can strain the heart and increase the risk of heart disease.

4. Do Not smoke: If someone smokes, quitting is one of the best things one can do for heart health. Smoking damages the arteries and increases the risk of heart disease.

5. Control Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Levels: Monitor the blood pressure and cholesterol levels regularly. High blood pressure and high cholesterol can contribute to heart disease. If they are elevated, work with a healthcare provider to manage them through lifestyle changes and, if necessary, medication.

6. Stay Hydrated: Drink an adequate amount of water to maintain proper hydration, especially during exercise. Dehydration can put stress on the heart.

7. Listen to the Body: Pay attention to any unusual symptoms during physical activity, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or palpitations. If someone experiences any of these symptoms, consult a healthcare professional.

8. Get Regular Check-ups: Schedule routine check-ups with a healthcare provider to monitor the overall health and assess heart function.

Conclusion

Intensive physical exercises cause an increased size of the heart and left ventricle and increase the width of muscles and blood vessels, which leads to an athletic heart. The body requires more blood and oxygen during exercises and sports, and the heart starts working more. The athletic heart is a normal condition developed because of the body's demands. It is a normal change in an athlete's heart and does not cause any harm to the body. The Athletic heart does not have any physical symptoms. Sometimes, low heart rate (bradycardia) and murmur heart sounds are present. Tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG), cardiopulmonary test, magnetic resonance test (MRI), and stress test are useful in diagnosing an athlete's heart. This condition requires no treatment. A resting period of three months (no involvement in sports and intensive physical activity) is enough to settle the heart in the previous condition.