There’s been some buzz in the media about a misunderstood condition called athlete’s heart. It often gets confused with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which may worsen over time and could lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
Athlete’s heart looks physically similar to cardiomyopathy in electrocardiograms, so your doctor will run more tests to make an exact diagnosis. Athlete’s heart doesn’t require treatment.
Difference Between Athlete's Heart and Cardiomyopathy
| Athlete's Heart | Cardiomyopathy |
| Does not cause sudden cardiac arrest in athletes | May cause sudden cardiac arrest in athletes |
| Does not require treatment | Requires treatment |
| The amount of space inside your left ventricle gets bigger | The amount of space inside your left ventricle gets smaller |
| Not dangerous | Dangerous |
What Is Athlete’s Heart?
Athlete’s heart describes harmless changes in the heart’s left ventricle that occur due to intense, strenuous physical activity. It can happen in individuals who exert themselves for at least an hour on most days of the week. It is mostly seen in highly trained or elite athletes like long distance cyclists, runners and triathletes.
Athlete’s heart is characterized by:
- thickened heart muscle
- an enlarged left ventricle
- a low resting heart rate
These changes occur because when you exercise vigorously, your body needs more oxygen and your heart pumps faster than normal. These changes compensate for the additional blood flow highly trained athletes require because of their physical activity.
Symptoms of Athlete’s Heart
There are no symptoms of athlete’s heart. If you experience chest pain, you should see your doctor. They may diagnose you with another condition.
What Is Sudden Cardiac Arrest?
Sudden cardiac arrest is a rare but life-threatening condition in which your heart stops beating and stops pumping blood and oxygen to the rest of your body. You must receive care within minutes to survive. According to the American Heart Association, about 9 in 10 people who experience cardiac arrest die.
A recent example of cardiac arrest in an athlete is when Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills collapsed on the field. Luckily, he recovered, in part due to the immediate CPR he received on the field.
How Common Is Cardiac Arrest in Athletes?
In athletes, sudden cardiac death is rare. Only about 1 in 100,000 to 1 in 300,000 athletes experience cardiac arrest. It is more common in people assigned male at birth.
Some high school sports programs and most college programs screen their athletes to determine their risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
What to Do if Someone Is in Cardiac Arrest
If someone suddenly collapses, is not breathing and is not responding, they could be in cardiac arrest.
- Call 911 immediately
- If you’re trained in CPR, begin administering it
- If there is an AED (automated external defibrillator) nearby, use it following the prompts
- Continue CPR until emergency help arrives
Getting CPR certified could save a life. Take classes with the Red Cross.
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