Posted by John Behle on October 23, 2002 at 15:23:37:
In Reply to: Aerobic Exercise posted by Bruce Bauer on October 23, 2002 at 14:42:51:
I read the same article, plus one from a MAZE surgeon indicating that AF results from a stretched and weakened area of the heart. Others seem to see no connection.
Over and over, MAZE patients and those suffering AF seem to have a common link of strenuous exercise. One of the hardest things to swallow about my AF was that I was an Olympic caliber skier, raced motorcycles and was headed towards being a championship bodybuilder.
It didn't seem right to have a "weak" heart, but totally strikes true to have a "weakened" or stretched heart. I can relate to torn and overworked muscles and there is no question that I taxed my heart in the same way. I believe they will eventually find a link. Maybe not for all AF, but as being at least ONE major cause.
Even before the AF did it's long term damage, I had both an enlarged heart and a very slow beat. This seemed to alarm doctors, but coming from a medical family, a PDR and other reference books were easy to find. All the symptoms that worried the doctors also could be found in the "Athletic heart" syndrome. In other words - sure, it was abnormal, out of the norm - because it was a conditioned heart enlarged from serious exercise.
AF and normal life eventually curtailed some of my activities and it was then that the AF progressed more rapidly.
My belief is that "A" cause of AF will be found to be aerobic and other activities that tax the heart. Of course, it may not have been proven YET - but neither has it been dis-proven and there is a great deal of evidence to lead to a preliminary conclusion. I see far more evidence that ties it with actities than with genetics or other factors. No one else in my family or any of my children have any similar symptoms. No one else likewise has pushed themselves physically as I have.
At first, it looked like a tie in with "extreme" exercise, but the whole purpose of aerobic activity is to push the heart. Maybe it's a difference as to how much it is taxed or that taxing it brings to the surface genetics, environment or other factors.
This was also discussed about a year ago or so earlier in the newsgroup. You can read more there (probably with a search under "exercise"). My opinion was pretty much "blasted" - but not refuted by someone with more medical background - but that too is opinion. NO one or any study has come out and said one thing or another is a difinite one and only cause of AF. There may be many - but I believe aerobic or possibly extreme aerobic exercise is a cause or contributing factor.
- Re: Aerobic Exercise Henry Alken 16:29:31 10/23/2002 (0)
- Re: Aerobic Exercise Tim Hawkins 15:56:27 10/23/2002 (1)
- Re: Aerobic Exercise kati 18:20:21 10/23/2002 (0)