Exercise and sports in cardiac patients and athletes at risk: Balance between benefit and harm

Circulating Gal-3 and sST2 are associated with acute exercise-induced sustained endothelial activation: Possible relevance for fibrosis development?

Long-term, intense endurance exercise training can occasionally induce endothelial micro-damage and cardiac fibrosis. The underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Twenty healthy, well-trained male participants (10 runners and 10 cyclists) performed a strenuous high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session matched by age, height, weight and maximal oxygen consumption. We assessed the acute exercise response of novel cardiac biomarkers of fibrosis [e.g., galectin-3 (Gal-3) and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2)] per exercise modality and their relationship with haemodynamic contributors, such as preload, afterload and cardiac contractility index (CTi), in addition to endothelial damage by sustained activation and shedding of endothelial cells (ECs). Serum Gal-3 and sST2 concentrations were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays; haemodynamics were analysed via impedance plethysmography and circulating ECs by flow cytometry. The Gal-3 and sST2 concentrations and ECs were elevated after exercise (P < 0.001), without interaction between exercise modalities. Circulating Gal-3 and sST2 concentrations both showed a positive relationship with ECs (rrm  = 0.68, P = 0.001 and rrm  = 0.57, P = 0.010, respectively, both n = 18). The EC association with Gal-3 was significant only in cyclists, but equally strong for both modalities. Gal-3 was also related to exercise-induced CTi (rrm  = 0.57, P = 0.011, n = 18). Cardiac wall stress is increased after an acute HIIT session but does not differ between exercise modalities. Exercise-released Gal-3 from cardiac macrophages could very probably drive systemic endothelial damage, based on an enhanced CTi. The importance of acute exercise-induced vascular resistances and cardiac contractility for the release of fibrotic biomarkers and any long-term pathological endothelial adaptation should be investigated further, also relative to the exercise modality. NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Circulating biomarkers of cardiac wall stress and fibrosis are influenced by physical exercise. The underlying mechanisms per exercise modality are still unclear. What is the main finding and its importance? We show that galectin-3 (Gal-3) and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2) are increased after acute exercise but do not differ between running and cycling. One haemodynamic contributor to the secretion of Gal-3 is an enhanced cardiac contractility. Acute exercise-released Gal-3 and sST2 are linked to sustained endothelial activation and cell shedding. This could be relevant in the context of fibrosis development and could identify athletes at risk for pathological endothelial adaptations.

[Sports cardiology : Which sport can be recommended for heart diseases?]

Innerhalb der Kardiologie hat der Bereich der Sportkardiologie in den letzten 10 Jahren sukzessive an Bedeutung zugenommen. Dies liegt v. a. daran, dass sich das Spektrum der Fragestellungen zu körperlichem Training in der Prävention und Sekundärprävention jenseits der klassischen kardiovaskulären Rehabilitation erweitert hat. Dieses Spektrum betrifft v. a. Jugendliche und junge Erwachsene, die bei manifester kardialer Erkrankung weiterhin körperlich aktiv sein wollen und zum Teil Freizeit- und Leistungssport anstreben. Ergänzend wird der Kreis der Patient*innen mit kardialen Erkrankungen, die auch noch im höheren Alter sportliche Höchstleistungen anstreben und Beratung suchen, immer größer. In diesen Fällen geht es dann darum, auf der einen Seite ein körperliches Training als Therapiestrategie zu empfehlen, aber auf der anderen Seite auch das kardiovaskuläre System zu schützen. Empfehlungen zu körperlichem Training sollten deshalb auch individuelle Aspekte berücksichtigen. Zusätzlich wird im ambitionierten Freizeit- und Leistungssport die Empfehlung zur Freigabe von Wettkampfsport adressiert. So fragen Patient*innen nach Sport- und Trainingsempfehlungen bei kardiovaskulären Risikofaktoren wie arterieller Hypertonie, Pathologien der Koronararterien im Sinne des Fehlabgangs der Koronarien, Muskelbrücke oder koronarer Herzkrankheit, Kardiomyopathien, Myokarditis sowie Herzrhythmusstörungen und Herzklappenfehlern. In diesem Artikel werden diese Erkrankungen mit entsprechenden sportkardiologischen Spezifika diskutiert und jeweils Empfehlungen zu körperlichem Training und Wettkampfsport gegeben.

The Impact of Physical Activity on Pericarditis

Purpose of Review

To discuss the possible harmful effects and pathophysiology of exercise in cases of pericarditis, explore the role of multi-modality imaging to help guide exercise recommendations, and compare U.S. with European guideline recommendations on the safe resumption of physical activity following resolution of pericarditis.

Recent Findings

Despite multiple postulated mechanisms by which exercise may be harmful during active inflammation of the myocardium or pericardium, the exact pathophysiology remains largely unknown. The inclusion of multi-modality cardiac imaging may play a role in further elucidating the relationship of exercise with outcomes in pericarditis. More recently, the prevalence of COVID-19 cardiac involvement in athletes prior to returning to play appears lower than previously reported; however, current recommendations are consistent with those for other etiologies of pericarditis.

Summary

Further research is certainly needed to better understand the relationship between physical activity and pericarditis, the pathophysiology, and the prognostic role of multimodality imaging.

Athlete's Heart in Elite Sport Climbers: Cardiac Adaptations Determined Using ECG and Echocardiography Data

INTRODUCTION

Sudden cardiac death in a young athlete is the leading cause of mortality in athletes during sport. Specific knowledge about cardiac adaptations are necessary for a better understanding of the underlying causes of such events.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the electrocardiogram and echocardiographic data obtained during the yearly medical examination of the entire German junior national climbing team was undertaken. First, data from 1 examination were used. In a second step, data from 2 examinations spaced 2 y apart were analyzed for a selected subgroup to gain more knowledge about adaptations to climbing. The data from the subgroup were compared to an age- and sex-matched control group of Nordic skiers from the German junior national Nordic skiing team.

RESULTS

Forty-seven young climbers (20 girls, 27 boys) were examined once. There were no pathological findings in the electrocardiogram or echocardiography. The left ventricular (LV) measurements fell between those for athletes and nonathletes. Eight boys and 6 girls from this group were tested twice over a timeframe of 27.5 mo. All LV measurements increased over time. After 2 y, the measurements from the climbers were comparable to those of the Nordic skiers.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (hypertrophy of the LV) is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in athletes. An increase in LV dimensions was observed in the young climbers in this study. LV dimensions being comparable to high-level Nordic skiers after 2 y in the national team imply structural changes over time in this cohort.

Impact of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation and body weight change on N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide variation in 100-km ultramarathon runners

BACKGROUND

The change in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels follows a paradox imposed by strenuous endurance exercise. Previous reports showed significant body weight (BW) loss was common in ultramarathon runners. This study investigated whether the BW change and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation contribute to exercise-induced NT-proBNP release.

METHODS

A total of 26 participants who finished a 100 km ultramarathon in Taiwan were enrolled. For each participant, blood samples and spot urine samples were collected 1 week before the race, as well as immediately and 24 hours after the finish. BW change was recorded to monitor the hydration status.

RESULTS

Prolonged endurance exercise led to a substantial increase in NT-proBNP. Compared with prerace values, NT-proBNP levels significantly increased immediately after the race (24.3 ± 20.2 pg/mL to 402.9 ± 305.9 pg/mL, p < 0.05) and maintained high levels until 24 hours after the race (143.7 ± 126.1 pg/mL, p < 0.05). The fractional excretion of sodium values was below 1% in three different time points. The 100 km ultramarathon resulted in significant BW loss and elevated renin and aldosterone levels. However, only 24 hours after the race, a positive significant relationship was found between NT-proBNP and aldosterone levels (p = 0.007, r = 0.267), but a negative significant relationship between NT-proBNP and BW increased during the recovery phase (p < 0.001, r = 0.372).

CONCLUSION

The mechanism of NT-proBNP release immediately following the race was multifaceted. During the recovery phase, rehydration might lead to the decrease of NT-proBNP. Our observations with regard to aldosterone and NT-proBNP might be in response to help the body maintains hydration state.

Exposure to Work and Nonwork Stressors and the Development of Heart Disease Among Canadian Workers Aged 40 Years and Older: A 16-year Follow-up Study (1994 to 2010)

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of work, nonwork, and individual factors to self-reported heart disease, and to evaluate gender-related differences over a period of 16 years among Canadian workers aged 40 years and more.

METHODS

Using the National Population Health Survey (NPHS, 1994 to 2010), we estimated multilevel logistic regression models (N = 2996).

RESULTS

Couple-related strains, being a man, age, hypertension, and body mass index, are associated with an increased risk of heart disease. In analysis stratified by gender, physical demands at work and having high child-related strains were associated with heart disease specifically among women. Psychotropic drug use increased the risk of heart disease only in men.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that work stressors measured by Statistics Canada NPHS are largely not associated with the risk of heart disease, except in women exposed to physical demands at work.

Acute myocarditis in bodybuilder from coxsackievirus and thyrotoxicosis

A 25-year-old male with no past medical history presented with 1 day of chest pain. The patient had exercised with high intensity for a bodybuilding competition. He had fever, malaise, sore throat, and cough 1 week before presentation. He was tachycardic and tachypneic. Cardiac examination was unremarkable. Electrocardiogram showed diffuse ST segment elevation. Laboratory results showed leukocytosis, creatinine kinase 3078 unit/L, and troponin I 78.06 ng/mL. Coronary angiography revealed no occlusion. Echocardiogram showed ejection fraction of 45% with global hypokinesis. The next day, the patient became dyspneic, hypoxic, and hypotensive. Chest X-ray showed pulmonary edema requiring intubation for respiratory failure. Inotropic support and intra-aortic balloon pump were started. A viral panel was ordered and antibody titer of coxsackievirus B type 4 was ≥1:640. On obtaining further history, it was found that he took liothyronine 75 mcg daily for 3 weeks. Thyroid-stimulating hormone was 0.015 U/mL and free T3 was 4.4 ng/mL. Burch-Wartofsky score was 75. Methimazole and hydrocortisone were started. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed diffuse myocardial inflammation and edema. There was multifocal dense epicardial and midmyocardial necrosis in all segments. The patient was discharged on metoprolol and enalapril. The patient was instructed to refrain from supplements. <Learning objective: Exogenous thyroid hormone abuse may be an unusual cause of acute myocarditis in young healthy individuals. Physicians should emphasize to athletes to avoid overtraining and to minimize exposure to infection. Athletes with a clinical diagnosis of viral myocarditis should be temporarily excluded from competitive physical activity. Physicians should check whether athletes' immunizations are up-to-date and advise athletes against the use of thyroid hormone.>.

[Exercise training in the therapy of heart diseases: Current evidence and future options]

Exercise training has been firmly established as an additional therapeutic strategy in addition to pharmacological and interventional treatment in patients with cardiovascular disease. Benefits for quality of life as well as prognosis have been confirmed for cardiovascular risk factors, ischemic heart disease, after myocardial infarction, in heart failure with preserved as well as reduced ejection fraction, in atrial fibrillation and in patients after catheter-assisted aortic valve implantation (TAVI), with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or with left ventricular assist devices (VAD). Training programs have to be tailored according to the disease, stage of disease, comorbidities, age of the patient, medication as well as exercise capacity. For prescribing exercise mode and intensity, a maximum exercise test has to be performed. Ideally, this is accompanied by spirometry to assess maximum values such as maximum oxygen consumption. Training intensity will then be prescribed according to the optimal training range and maximum training intensity.

The potential role of endogenous bacteriophages in controlling invading pathogens

Bacteriophages (phages) are omnipresent in our environment, and recent studies highlight their potential impact on the microbial world. Phages can also be present in mammalian organisms, including man (intestines, oral cavity, urine, sputum and serum). Data are available which suggest that those endogenous phages could play an important role in eliminating bacteria and regulating the body ecosystem. Furthermore, our most recent findings suggest that phages can exert immunosuppressive action in the gut, helping control local inflammatory and autoimmune reactions, and demonstrate anticancer activity. We hypothesize that phages could act in concert with the immune system in immunosurveillance against bacteria, viruses and cancer.