Gym-goers and athletes often get into intense workouts to embrace a fitter lifestyle or improve performance; pushing boundaries seems like the obvious way to reach their goals in a short period. However, it’s important to take breaks without overexerting yourself to ensure proper heart function. The recent death of 45-year-old cyclist Anil Kadsur has raised concerns about seemingly fit and healthy individuals succumbing to sudden cardiac arrests. An inspiration for many fitness enthusiasts, Kadsur was known as the ‘century cyclist’ due to his incredible feat of riding 100 kilometers daily for 42 consecutive months since 2022. He was brought to a hospital on 2 February 2024 after feeling uneasy, where he passed away due to cardiac arrest.
Being physically fit is not a sign of optimal heart health; regular checkups are crucial to keep cardiac complications at bay, says Dr CN Manjunath, cardiologist and former director of Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bangalore. Urging people to find the balance between fitness and overexertion, he adds, “Putting excessive stress on the heart through intense physical activity may result in sudden cardiac arrest.”
Recalling his conversations with Kadsur, his friend Charan CS shares, “Anil’s feat was unprecedented. He has been an inspiration and a mentor for many cyclists, and we feel guilty for not stopping him and letting him push his limits.” He adds that nobody could predict how one’s body would react after so many century rides back-to-back.
Speaking about the drawbacks of social media, Charan says such platforms have been a bad influence on many who are taking up unrealistic challenges to prove themselves and set new records. “Everyone’s body functions differently; we must listen to our bodies and take breaks when needed,” he adds.
Intense physical activity can lead to sudden cardiac arrest
While the health benefits of exercise are widespread, prolonged high-intensity and vigorous workouts can have adverse effects, says Dr Manjunath. “All athletes face cardiac enlargement, where their hearts become enlarged due to intense physical activity. It’s called an athlete’s heart, where the heart muscles thicken, creating difficulty in transporting oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the body,” he elaborates. People with this condition develop a low heart rate, making them more vulnerable to sudden cardiac arrest.
Speaking about Kadsur’s case, Dr Manjunath shares, “Riding 100 kilometers every day is extreme, which puts excessive stress on the heart. Even if the individual doesn’t have any preexisting conditions, unaccustomed intense exercise can be detrimental to heart health and may result in sudden cardiac arrest. Cycling for around five to eight kilometers a day is considered healthy.”
Regular health checkups and adequate rest are key
Stressing the downside of overexertion and the importance of regular checkups, Dr Shankar TV, a cyclist and orthopedic surgeon from Channapatna, Bangalore, says, “Every individual has their own endurance level, which may differ depending on their age. When they overexert themselves, exceeding the threshold, their heart function gets affected. Athletes should be aware of this and refrain from pushing themselves too much. In addition, it’s paramount that they don’t miss their routine health checkups.”
Dr Manjunath recommends a preliminary cardiac evaluation to ensure proper heart function and screen for congenital conditions before getting into high-intensity workouts. “Athletes must get an ECG and echo every year to detect any anomalies in the heart. If thickness is noticed in the heart muscles, deconditioning can help prevent sudden cardiac death,” he informs.
He also explains that athlete’s heart can be reversed by taking breaks or downscaling the intensity of physical activity. “Once the intensity reduces, the heart muscles will slowly return to their original form. Incorporating rest and recovery days is a must for all athletes,” he adds.
Dr Shankar, who was Kadsur’s friend, says most cyclists ignore regular health checkups, as it’s not mandatory to participate in any long-distance or endurance rides. “As cyclists, most of us feel that we are physically fit and tend to neglect medical checkups. This must be a mandate to participate in any rides. However, as cyclists, it’s also our responsibility to get regular checkups, irrespective of mandates, to ensure we are healthy,” he shares.
Agreeing with this, Dr Manjunath adds that one must be adequately hydrated while going for a brevet (an organized long-distance bicycle ride) or during any physical activity. “Dehydration can put additional stress on the heart,” he cautions.
Wearable health monitoring devices will also be helpful. “Most of us wear a device that’s connected to a monitor attached to the bicycle. It records our heart rate, cycling speed and the distance covered,” says Dr Shankar, adding that while the device doesn’t indicate a cardiac arrest, it provides valuable information regarding our health, helping prevent severe consequences.
Takeaways
- Intense physical activity for prolonged periods can put excessive stress on the heart, making one vulnerable to sudden cardiac arrests.
- Most athletes develop heart enlargement due to intense workouts. If left untreated, it increases their chances of cardiac complications.
- Downscaling the intensity of physical activity and including rest days can reverse heart enlargement in athletes.
- People, especially those into fitness, shouldn’t ignore routine health checkups. Additionally, they should hydrate themselves before getting into intense physical activity.
