Tag Archives: sports

Dr Fang Qin Goh Introduction With semi-professional sporting events becoming more accessible,1 the effect of endurance training on the body is increasingly relevant, not just in elite athletes, but also fitness enthusiasts. Exercise prevents and aids treatment of coronary heart disease (CHD), hypertension, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, obesity and depression,2,3 reduces cardiac events,1 and improves survival.4,5 However, there is concern excessive exercise could have adverse cardiac effects.2 This article aims to address whether an upper limit to mortality benefits of exercise exists, consider physiological and potentially pathological ch

Introduction An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is used for primary and secondary prophylaxis in the treatment of life-threatening arrhythmia. Guidelines for ICD patients, originally published in 2005, advise against any competitive sports more vigorous than ‘Class IA’ activities such as bowling or golf.1 American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA)/European Society of Cardiology (ESC) embraced this advice stating “for legal and ethical reasons athletes receiving cardiovascular drugs and devices such as pacemakers and ICDs are generally not allowed to participate in high-grade competition.”2 For