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Cardiac adverse effects and acute exercise in elderly subjects
M Kallinen1, P Era, E Heikkinen
1Peurunka-Medical Rehabilitation and Physical Exercise Center, Laukaa, Finland. mauri.kallinen@peurunka.fi
Aging (Milan, Italy)
|November 10, 2000
Summary
Elderly individuals may experience cardiac events during maximal exercise. While some stop exercising due to arrhythmias, long-term effects on cardiac health are minimal in those able to complete maximal effort tests.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Geriatrics
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Cardiac adverse effects, including arrhythmias and ST segment depressions, can occur during physical exercise in older adults.
- The frequency, nature, and temporal relationship of these exercise-related cardiac events require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the occurrence and characteristics of immediate cardiac disturbances during maximal cycle ergometer exercise (CEE) in elderly individuals.
- To assess the incidence of hospital referrals for cardiac incidents within 24 hours post-CEE.
- To evaluate the impact of maximal CEE on cardiac event occurrence over a 24-hour period using ambulatory ECG.
Main Methods:
- A population group (PG) of 203 individuals aged 75 years underwent voluntary maximal CEE, with exercise termination reasons documented.
- Hospital referral data within 24 hours post-CEE were collected from patient records.
- A Holter group (HG) of 23 elderly subjects (12 men, 11 women) capable of maximal effort had ambulatory ECG recorded 24 hours before and after CEE.
Main Results:
- In the PG, 23.4% of men and 6.4% of women terminated CEE due to cardiac disturbances.
- One subject required hospitalization for exercise-induced atrial fibrillation.
- In the HG, maximal CEE did not result in long-lasting cardiac disturbances over the 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring period.
Conclusions:
- Maximal exercise can precipitate immediate cardiac disturbances in some elderly individuals, necessitating exercise cessation.
- While acute events like atrial fibrillation can occur, maximal exercise does not appear to induce sustained cardiac disturbances in elderly individuals capable of maximal effort.
- Further research is needed to understand the specific risk factors and management strategies for exercise-induced cardiac events in the elderly population.