Research from Holsworth Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Dr Daniel Wundersitz, has revealed that approximately 68% of recreationally active people involved in his pilot study were unaware of underlying cardiac arrhythmias.
Dr Wundersitz says regular recreational exercise has many health benefits, which are further maximised by endurance exercise.
“As a result, more people are performing endurance exercise than ever before. Current research has shown, however, that recreational athletes who perform endurance exercise are at greater risk of cardiac arrhythmias, also known as an irregular heartbeat.”
“While we know that recreational exercise is generally good for heart health, sometimes the signs and symptoms of arrhythmias can be masked by normal exercise responses. This means they may go undiagnosed.”
Dr Wundersitz’s initial findings suggest that two-thirds of participants who reported being healthy were identified as having electrocardiographic abnormalities that, according to international recommendations for athletes, could be linked to adverse cardiovascular events.
He is excited to further his research with the help of ABC Internal Investment Funding, a La Trobe scheme designed to prepare early and mid-career researchers to successfully enter the grant pipeline.
“The ABC Internal Investment Funding will enable us to determine the association between performing regular endurance exercise and the risk of undiagnosed electrocardiographic abnormalities.”
“The outcomes of this research will help better inform regional and rural people about the benefits and potential risks of endurance exercise.”
