Latest news with #American Heart Association
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scar tissue in athletes hearts tied to higher risk of dangerous cardiac rhythms
Research Highlights: Scar tissue in the heart may be linked to dangerous heart rhythms in otherwise healthy athletes, according to a U.K. study. The study, VENTOUX, named after Mont Ventouxone of the most gruelling climbs in the world-renowned Tour de France cycling raceincluded about 100 male cyclists and triathletes over age 50. Embargoed until 6:01 p.m. CT/7:01 p.m. ET, Thursday, July 17, 2025 (NewMediaWire) - July 17, 2025 - DALLAS Scar tissue in the heart was associated with abnormal heart rhythms among healthy, long-time male endurance athletes age 50 or older, potentially increasing their risk of sudden cardiac death, according to a small study published today in Circulation:Cardiovascular Imaging, an American Heart Association journal. An irregular rhythm originating from a ventricular heart chamber, called ventricular tachycardia, is considered one of the most serious types of abnormal heart rhythm. It is extremely dangerous and can lead to sudden cardiac death. Sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in athletes, mostly affecting older men. Myocardial fibrosisthe scarring or thickening of heart muscle tissuehas previously been linked to irregular heartbeats; however, how it affects otherwise healthy endurance athletes remains unclear. "Dangerous heart rhythms during sport are thankfully rare," said senior study author Peter Swoboda, M.B.B.S., Ph.D., an associate professor of cardiology at the University of Leeds in the U.K. "In certain highly trained athletesparticularly as they get olderit is possible to identify scarred heart tissue via magnetic resonance imaging. We wanted to investigate whether dangerous heart rhythms in endurance athletes might be caused by heart scarring. "Our main aim was to help endurance athletes continue to participate safely in sports, particularly as they get older," he said. The study called VENTOUX was named after a famous mountain climb in the world-renowned Tour de France bike race. The researchers followed 106 male cyclists/triathletes aged 50 or older, who had no symptoms of heart disease. All had trained at least 10 hours a week for 15 years or more. The participants underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging, a specialized test that uses magnetic fields to produce detailed images of the heart. They also had an ECG recorder implanted under the skin of their chest that recorded every heartbeat for two years. During an average follow-up of two years, researchers found: almost half of the athletes (47.2%) showed signs of scarring on the left ventricle of the heart; and about 3% of the athletes had sustained, potentially dangerous fast heart rate originating in the lower chambers of the heart, while 19% experienced shorter bursts of rapid heartbeats. Any participant who developed a potentially harmful rhythm was contacted urgently to assess symptoms and advised to seek independent medical attention. "We did not expect the association between scarring and dangerous rhythms to be this strong," Swoboda said. "Similar findings have been reported in patients with heart muscle disease, however, we did not expect this in healthy, performance athletes." He urged any athlete who experiences chest pain, dizziness or palpitations during activity to seek treatment and also advised, "It's important that everyone involved in sports knows CPR and how to use an automated external defibrillator." Although the annual incidence of sudden cardiac death during sports varies among studies, the annual rate of abnormal heart rhythms detected in this study were considerably higher than rates among the general population. The study has several limitations such as including a small number of very select participants. The findings may not apply to people not represented in the study: women, non-athletes or non-European cyclists. In addition, the findings could not differentiate whether the cardiac scarring itself was the cause of irregular heart rhythms or if it was a marker for a separate underlying process. Future research will examine women, the authors said. Study details, background and design: The study enrolled 106 athletes from sporting organizations in the U.K. The athletes self-reported their training history, and those with pre-existing heart conditions were excluded. Upon entry into the study, participants underwent clinical assessments, imaging and had a loop recorder implanted. The loop recorder monitored for ventricular arrhythmia for two years. A comparative group of age-matched, male, non-athletes was enrolled to undergo the same imaging. Each participant was asked to continue with their normal daily activities and sporting habits. The study was funded by the British Heart Foundation, the National Institute for Health and Care Research, Leeds Biomedical Research Centre and Leeds Clinical Research Facility. Co-authors, disclosures are listed in the manuscript. Studies published in the American Heart Association's scientific journals are peer-reviewed. The statements and conclusions in each manuscript are solely those of the study authors and do not necessarily reflect the Association's policy or position. The Association makes no representation or guarantee as to their accuracy or reliability. The Association receives more than 85% of its revenue from sources other than corporations. These sources include contributions from individuals, foundations and estates, as well as investment earnings and revenue from the sale of our educational materials. Corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations to the Association. The Association has strict policies to prevent any donations from influencing its science content. Overall financial information is available here. Additional Resources: Available multimedia is on right column of release link After 7:01 pm ET on July 17, 2025, view the manuscript online. AHA health information: What is an Arrhythmia? AHA health information: Watch an animation of ventricular fibrillation AHA health information: Cardiac Arrest vs Heart Attack Follow AHA/ASA news on X @HeartNews Follow news from the AHA's Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging journal @CircImaging ### About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1. For Media Inquiries and AHA/ASA Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173 Bridgette McNeill: For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721) and
Health Line
3 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
Types of Atrial Fibrillation: What You Need to Know
Key takeaways AFib is classified into four types based on how long the irregular heartbeat lasts: paroxysmal, persistent, long-standing persistent, and permanent. Paroxysmal AFib comes and goes on its own, while persistent AFib lasts longer and may require medical intervention. Long-standing persistent AFib lasts for at least a year, and permanent AFib is continuous. Treatment options vary depending on the type of AFib, but the goals are to restore normal heart rhythm, manage heart rate, and prevent blood clots. Overview Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a type of arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. It causes the upper and lower chambers of your heart to beat out of sync, fast, and erratically. AFib used to be classified as either chronic or acute. But in 2014, new guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association changed the classification of atrial fibrillation from two types to four: paroxysmal AFib persistent AFib long-standing persistent AFib permanent AFib You can start with one type of AFib that eventually becomes another type as the condition progresses. Keep reading to learn more about each type. 1. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation Paroxysmal AFib comes and goes. It begins and ends spontaneously. The irregular heartbeat may last anywhere from several seconds to a week. However, most episodes of paroxysmal AFib resolve themselves within 24 hours. Paroxysmal AFib may be asymptomatic, which means that you experience no apparent symptoms. The first line of treatment for asymptomatic paroxysmal AFib may be lifestyle changes, such as reducing daily caffeine consumption and reducing stress, in addition to medications as preventative measures. 2. Persistent atrial fibrillation Persistent AFib also begins spontaneously. It lasts at least seven days and may or may not end on its own. Medical intervention such as cardioversion, in which your doctor shocks your heart into rhythm, may be needed to stop an acute, persistent AFib episode. Lifestyle changes and medications may be used as preventive measures. 3. Long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation Long-standing persistent AFib lasts at least a year without interruption. It's often associated with structural heart damage. This type of AFib can be the most challenging to treat. Medications to maintain a normal heart rate or rhythm are often ineffective. More invasive treatments may be needed. These can include: electrical cardioversion catheter ablation pacemaker implantation 4. Permanent atrial fibrillation Long-standing persistent AFib can become permanent when treatment doesn't restore normal heart rate or rhythm. As a result, you and your doctor make a decision to stop further treatment efforts. This means your heart is in a state of AFib all the time. According to research, this type of AFib may result in more severe symptoms, lower quality of life, and an increased risk of a major cardiac event.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
From Heart To Skin, Sun's Got Your Back: Soak Up Smart Doses
While too much sun is harmful for your health, too little can mean you miss out on its potentially irreplaceable benefits. When it comes to sun exposure, neither extreme is good. Instead, a balanced dose is likely the healthiest when it comes to catching rays. 'The 'never go outside without S.P.F. 50' approach treated sun exposure as if it were universally harmful,' said Dr. Lucy McBride, an internal medicine physician in Washington, D.C., per The New York Times. Instead, 'moderate, thoughtful sun exposure,' which will vary from person to person, may offer benefits we're still discovering.' The amount of sun exposure that is too much depends on factors such as age, health condition, and skin tone, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). All else equal, people with darker complexions can bask in the sun longer than those with fairer complexions. However, it also takes darker skin tones longer to absorb sunshine. That means while people with fairer skin might burn faster, they can also top up their Vitamin D much quicker, meaning prolonged exposure is not necessary. In terms of benefits, sunshine has been shown to help lower blood pressure, regardless of the temperature. One study in the Journal of the American Heart Association even tied moderate sunlight exposure to a lower risk of heart failure. Add this to the list of habits you might want to consider incorporating to help reduce the chance of heart disease. The sun has also been linked to improved immune function, may offer protective benefits to the central nervous system, and can help improve symptoms in people suffering from eczema. Of course, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. Too much time spent on the beach without protection can lead to skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the United States. Almost 20 Americans die from melanoma daily. 'Everyone's skin can be impacted by the sun and other forms of UV rays – regardless of their skin color,' said Dr. Shanthi Sivendran, senior vice president at the American Cancer Society, per the Independent.
