Dr. André La Gerche has uncovered alarming findings regarding the relationship between rigorous exercise and atrial fibrillation (AF), a heart disorder that affects many athletes. His latest research is on elite male rowers. This study showed that their risk of developing AF is seven times higher than for the general population. Our research highlights the urgent need to raise awareness about this under-reported condition. High-performance athletes need to understand the risks associated with their training programs.
The 2015 study examined elite rowers, 74 percent of whom were men who had reached international competition level. For elite Australian rower James Tomkins, the biggest challenge started when symptoms first appeared before the 2008 Beijing Olympic trials. He was subsequently diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF). He’s had two spells of AF since then, and that’s pushed him to take control of his health in other ways.
In his thesis, Dr. La Gerche explored genetic and exercise-specific mechanisms leading to AF. For him, the biggest surprise was the breadth of the findings, saying that the results were “much more than we expected.” He focused on discussing the role of genetic factors in atrial fibrillation (AF) in athletes. These factors are not, on the whole, that different from those observed in the general population.
The Study’s Findings
In Dr. La Gerche’s study, elite male rowers were compared with a control group of non-rowers. These findings showed a remarkably different rate of atrial fibrillation (AF) between the two groups. He said, “We can finally claim that atrial fibrillation in athletes is caused by a sort of extreme exercise. This research has significant implications for athletes and coaches alike. It illustrates how dangerous physical strain is as a health hazard.
James Tomkins’s story is a heartbreaking illustration of those dangers. After his diagnosis in 2008, he described a particularly troubling episode: “I’d been drinking a bit that day, had a bit of a viral load, and drank an iced Margarita, which my specialist said shocked my heart and put me in AF.” These incidents illustrate why it is critical to understand how lifestyle decisions may compound health risk factors already present in these communities.
Dr. La Gerche categorized two groups at higher risk for developing AF: “People who do no exercise, and people who do lots of exercise.” This duality creates a conundrum for athletes as they need to push their bodies toward extreme performance while being mindful of adverse cardiovascular health.
Awareness and Management
In particular, Dr. La Gerche wanted to underscore the need to control risk factors related to the development of AF. He encourages anyone at risk to consider using devices like smartwatches. These devices have the ability to track cardiac rhythms and alert patients when they are having an episode of AF. This technology now promises to offer an early detection tool that helps protect against complications like stroke.
He cautions against AF’s quiet symptoms, too. Some individuals will experience terrible symptoms, like being short of breath or their heart racing. Other people will just feel okay. This alarming gap begs the question of those who do not know that they have the disease until they are faced with serious ramifications. Dr La Gerche said this was particularly worrying for those most at risk who do not know that they have AF. Their first true awakening to this fact is often after they’ve suffered a stroke themselves.
Tomkins’ diary serves as an important reminder to always be aware. He has committed to drinking less alcohol to reduce his AF risk. He stressed, “If people know the risk, it is actually very manageable.” His story is a powerful reminder that even the most elite athletes need to be encouraged to consider their health beyond the boundaries of competition.
The Role of Exercise in Heart Health
Despite the evident risks associated with excessive exercise, Dr. La Gerche maintains that regular physical activity is crucial for overall health. He noted many patients were suffering from medical conditions as a result of not getting enough physical activity. This underscores the importance of equitable approaches to fitness. I am the first to acknowledge I have a bias. In addition, in my clinic I see more and more patients who have medical illnesses that could be ameliorated by exercise,” he noted.
He compares the situation to common sports injuries: “If you play tennis, you might be more likely to get tennis elbow or a similar injury, but you wouldn’t say don’t play tennis. You’d say play tennis, but here are strategies to avoid getting tennis elbow.” This analogy undergirds the argument that, just as with exercise, which has inherent risks, there are challenges, but educated practice can overcome these.
Dr. La Gerche encourages athletes and their trainers to be vigilant about their existing training programmes. He stresses that it is critical to understand and account for an athlete’s past activity exposure. Beyond that, it’s important to think strategically about the exercises individuals and organizations are undertaking. Key is knowing what workouts they’ve done historically,” he said.
