Understand the health risks of intense physical activity – 06/22/2023 – Health

The death of service provider Bruno da Silva Teixeira, 26, which occurred on the night of the last day of the 5th, lights up an alert for the risks that intense physical exercises without supervision represent. The young man had a sudden illness during a race with a total distance of 42 km and died. The case is investigated, but similar examples are known to experts.

According to Maria Cristina Izar, professor at the Paulista School of Medicine at Unifesp (Federal University of São Paulo), there is a not very large, but worrying, number of sudden deaths in the midst of physical activities. “Often they are athletes, they are trained, and sometimes they are untrained people who are asymptomatic and unaware of any abnormality.”

One of these diseases that in most cases only presents symptoms with physical exertion is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Usually of a genetic nature, the complication can lead to arrhythmias or changes in blood pressure and is the main cause of sudden death when exertion in young people under 35 years old, explains Izar.

Genetic-based arrhythmias are also associated with cases of sudden death in young people. Another problem is myocarditis: infections, mainly viral, that affect the heart muscle.

Izar also mentions external causes, such as the use of hormones, mainly anabolic steroids, and drugs. “During the overload imposed by physical exercise, this can lead to an arrhythmia and cause sudden death.”

To avoid complications like these, a visit to the doctor is necessary. “The practice of regular physical activity is healthy, but it needs to be carried out safely. Therefore, it is always important that there is a pre-initiation assessment of physical activity for those who have never done this assessment. Whether for competitive activity or for recreation,” he says. Marcelo Franken, medical manager of cardiology at Einstein.

Through the evaluation of a cardiologist, it will be possible to identify health issues that could cause health problems, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. With the diagnoses made before the beginning of high-intensity practice, it is already possible to avoid outcomes – sudden death, non-fatal heart attacks and arrhythmias that lead to fainting are some examples.

Franken also recommends regular physical activity. When done in spikes, the exercises can cause problems.

Another guideline is the search for a professional to accompany the person in cases of high intensity exercises. In preparation for running a marathon, for example, a physical educator will help in the development of physical capacity safely.

“A physical educator is important in the preparation of physical conditioning for the practice of this type of exercise”, says Franken.