Two cases of sudden death have been recorded in Mauritius this week. A man in his sixties, an ex-sportsman who has never given up exercises despite his age, collapsed by a supermarket while a 38 years old sportsman met a sudden death while gardening. They both had an athlete’s heart. Cardiologist Cassam Hingun explained the phenomenon in an exclusive interview to lexpress.mu

Why do some sportsmen develop an athlete’s heart ?
Some sportsmen, not all, will develop an athlete’s heart which is in fact an enlarged heart which gives a resting heart rate lower than normal. The heart is basically a muscle and it will grow in size as the muscles of all bodybuilders through hard and long hours of training. Athlete's heart is common in athletes who routinely exercise more than an hour a day, and occurs primarily in endurance athletes, though it can occasionally arise in heavy weight trainers.Hypertension gives the same result, with a thickening of the heart’s wall. Some people are born with such hypertrophic heart.

To what extent are hypertrophic dangerous and can the thickness be reduced?
Athlete’s heart is a benign condition in athletes. But a hypertrophic heart is dangerous, for the heart may fail at any moment because of its thick walls. If it is congenital, the thickness cannot be reduced. But those who have developed that thickness because of sports or hypertension will have a reduction in this thickness over time when hypertension is brought under control for a significant lapse of time or when long hours of endurance training is discontinued.

Can it be easily diagnosed ?
Yes, through a heart’s echography.

Are all the sudden death registered amongst sportsmen due to hypertrophic hearts ?
No. hypertrophic cardiomyopathy  which is a serious genetic cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes. Many other factors can lead to the sudden death of an athlete or an ex-athlete. Diabetes, heart valve problem, or high cholesterol level with the build-up of plaque in the arteries are some other factors which can lead to sudden death of athletes or ex-athletes.

Can exercising lead to stroke?
Yes, if you have high blood pressure. One should see to it that the blood pressure is normal before starting to exercise. Exercising under high blood pressure can lead to ruptured arteries in the brain.

Can someone with Brugada syndrome engage in sports?
Brugada syndrome is a rare genetic disease and concerns the electrical impulse of the heart. It can lead to sudden death and people with this syndrome should exercise only under medical supervision.

Can someone with heart palpitation, rare or regular, engage in sports or physical activities?
He should first of all see a cardiologist to determine if the palpitation is of cardiac origin or not before exercising. In fact, all those who take up exercises after a long period of rest should see a cardiologist first.

You are not against exercises in fact?
Not at all. Physical activities reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 35 % . But one should be cautious and have regular check-up. In fact, all Mauritians of 35 years old and above should have regular yearly check up. I would advise against strenuous activities or sports such as tennis, squash or badminton. Go for walking, I mean brisk walking for at least half hour thrice a week and your heart will thank you for it.