by A groundbreaking study conducted by scientists from Australia and Belgium has found that one in six elite athletes show measurements that suggest reduced heart function, along with an enrichment of genes associated with heart muscle disease. The findings, published in Circulation, emphasize the need for closer monitoring of heart health in elite athletes to prevent future heart problems.
The study involved 281 elite athletes from Australia and Belgium, who underwent genetic analysis to determine the role of genetics in heart function. The researchers discovered that a genetic predisposition may be “stressed” by exercise, causing profound changes in the heart. These changes include a larger heart size, which is observed in all elite athletes but varies in degrees from large to enormous.
Associate Professor Andre la Gerche, who heads the HEART Laboratory jointly supported by St Vincent’s Institute in Melbourne and the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in Sydney, highlights the importance of understanding athletes’ hearts to identify potential risks in advance. He stresses the need for closer monitoring of heart health in elite athletes to prevent sudden cardiac arrest.
Professor Guido Claessen, affiliated with the Jessa Hospital, University of Hasselt and KU Leuven in Belgium, suggests that genetic screening could become part of the preventive examinations received by top athletes in the future. This would further enhance the close cardiological follow-up of elite athletes and allow for early detection of heart problems.
The study’s findings raise questions about the long-term effects of these heart changes on athletes’ health. Professor Claessen emphasizes the necessity of continued monitoring to determine the future consequences, which may be positive or negative.
To further investigate this phenomenon, the team has recruited over 400 elite endurance athletes, including winners of major cycling races, for the Pro@Heart study. This ongoing research aims to analyze the role of genetics in susceptibility to heart problems in athletes.
Professor Diane Fatkin from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute describes this study as the first in the world to examine the role of genetics in heart function and structure in athletes. The researchers found more profound changes in heart function than previously thought, and a high number of athletes with altered heart function.
While these elite athletes can still perform at a high level, the long-term implications remain unclear. Professor Fatkin emphasizes the importance of monitoring these athletes to determine if they will develop cardiomyopathy, a condition characterized by an enlarged and weakened heart.
Professor Hein Heidbuchel of the Antwerp University Hospital emphasizes the need to follow the same group of athletes over the next 25 years to determine if they develop heart problems. While regular exercise is generally associated with health benefits, there may be a small group of athletes with a genetic predisposition that could be dangerous if they continue exercising at a high intensity.
The ultimate goal of this research is to ensure safety in sports practice for all participants. Understanding the interplay between genetic characteristics and intensive exercise will be crucial in achieving this objective, concludes Professor Heidbuchel.
In conclusion, the study highlights the potential risks of heart problems in elite athletes with a genetic predisposition. The findings underscore the need for closer monitoring of heart health in athletes, and genetic screening may become a key component of preventive examinations in the future. Continued research and long-term monitoring are essential to determine the long-term effects and consequences on athletes’ heart health.
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