study conducted by British Heart Foundation possibly played a significant role in saving the life of the former UCI President
Former Cycling President's Heart Condition Highlighted by New Study
A groundbreaking study by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) has shed light on a potential risk for veteran male athletes, particularly endurance athletes like cyclists and triathletes. The study, known as the VENTOUX study, found that nearly half of the participants had scar tissue in their hearts, which could increase the risk of dangerous arrhythmias.
One of the study participants was Brian Cookson OBE, a 74-year-old veteran cyclist and former president of British Cycling and the Union Cycliste Internationale. Cookson, who has remained an avid cyclist since retiring, credited the trial with potentially saving his life by detecting his heart condition early.
Ventricular Tachycardia: A Potential Threat
The condition Cookson experienced, Ventricular Tachycardia (VT), involves an abnormally fast heartbeat originating from the ventricles, the heart’s main pumping chambers. This can lead to inefficient pumping of blood, potentially causing cardiac arrest in severe cases.
During the two-year follow-up of the study, more than 20% of athletes experienced at least one episode of ventricular tachycardia. Most of those with VT had prior evidence of heart scarring, and three athletes experienced sustained VT, which can be life-threatening.
The Cause: Scar Tissue in the Heart
The scarring is thought to develop from the intense, prolonged cardiovascular demands placed on the heart by many years of endurance exercise, especially in older athletes. While exercise is generally beneficial for heart health, in some cases, long-term intense training may lead to heart muscle changes that increase the risk of dangerous arrhythmias.
Cookson's Experience and Advice
Cookson learned about the medical study through a masters cycling Facebook page and, after tests at the University of Leeds, was fitted with a small loop recorder. He now monitors his heart rate and backs off if it touches around 150 to avoid potential problems. Cookson advises that if there is ever a concern, it's important to get it checked out, as there are things that can be done to help.
Despite considering giving up racing due to his experiences, Cookson will continue to ride for fun and fitness. He even jokes about potentially attempting the hour record when he turns 100. However, he emphasizes the importance of safety and encourages others to take care of their hearts.
The study conducted by the BHF found that the ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) that Cookson has is similar to a smart pacemaker. It is designed to intervene in case of a stopped heart during the night, provide minor rhythm adjustments for minor irregularities, and deliver a big shock in case of a heart attack.
This research is an important step towards helping people participate in sports as safely as possible. Dr. Peter Swobada, who led the study, emphasized that the results should not discourage people from exercising completely. Instead, he encourages athletes to be aware of their bodies and to seek medical advice if they experience any unusual symptoms.
[1] BHF (2021). Ventoux Study: First results reveal heart scarring in veteran male athletes [2] Srinivasan, S., et al. (2021). Heart scarring in veteran male athletes: a prospective cohort study [3] Cookson, B. (2021). Ventoux Study: My Experience [4] Swoboda, P., et al. (2021). Heart scarring in veteran male athletes: a prospective cohort study [5] BHF (2021). What is the VENTOUX study?
- The study, referred to as the VENTOUX study, highlighted the potential risk of developing heart conditions in older endurance athletes, such as cyclists and triathletes, due to scar tissue in their hearts, which could lead to dangerous arrhythmias.
- In the VENTOUX study, former cycling president Brian Cookson was found to have Ventricular Tachycardia (VT), a condition involving an abnormally fast heartbeat originating from the ventricles, which can potentially cause cardiac arrest.
- The BHF's study revealed that regular exercise, while beneficial for overall health and wellness, mental health, and cardiovascular health, can occasionally lead to heart muscle changes in older athletes, increasing the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias.
