Scar Tissue in Athletes' Hearts Linked to Higher Risk of Dangerous Cardiac Rhythms

Scar tissue in the heart may be linked to dangerous heart rhythms in otherwise healthy athletes, according to a U.K. study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging. The study, involving about 100 male cyclists and triathletes over age 50, found that nearly half showed signs of scarring on the left ventricle, with a small percentage experiencing sustained, potentially dangerous fast heart rates.

Myocardial fibrosis, or the scarring of heart muscle tissue, has been previously associated with irregular heartbeats, but its impact on healthy endurance athletes was unclear until now. The research, named VENTOUX after a famous Tour de France climb, aimed to investigate whether heart scarring could cause dangerous rhythms in athletes, particularly as they age.

Participants, who had trained at least 10 hours a week for 15 years or more, underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and had an ECG recorder implanted to monitor heartbeats for two years. The findings revealed a strong association between scarring and dangerous rhythms, similar to those seen in patients with heart muscle disease.

Senior study author Peter Swoboda emphasized the importance of athletes experiencing symptoms like chest pain or dizziness during activity seeking medical attention. He also highlighted the need for CPR knowledge and access to automated external defibrillators in sports settings.

The study's limitations include its small, selective participant group, suggesting the findings may not apply to women, non-athletes, or non-European cyclists. Future research will explore these groups further.