Strenuous Exercise and Heart Health

Researchers are finding a connection between a lifetime of strenuous exercise and heart problems at midlife

March 10, 2011

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I like to keep active and try to walk a lot and get to the gym, but I've never been a true jock. Many of my longtime friends are, however, and I often wondered over the years whether their love of exercise and sports would keep them young longer than me. Recently, I've noticed that while these highly active friends still look good, they're complaining a lot more than I am about aches and pains in various parts of their bodies.

This isn't exactly scientific evidence that too much exercise might hurt you so I was intrigued by this post on The New York Times Well blog. Apparently, a number of studies have found an association between strenuous exercise and heart damage at midlife. Other research in rats has shown evidence that strenuous running could actually induce heart arrhythmias.

Wasn't exercise supposed to be good for your heart?

Actually it still is, as the post points out. But it may be that some people reach a dangerous threshold at a certain point. If you notice any unusual symptoms such as a racing heart, consult your doctor.

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