Cardiovascular Concerns in Water Sports

The cardiac effects of aquatic sports have increased in interest with the experience of cardiac responses to swimming and diving. The syndrome of swimming-induced pulmonary edema is likely caused by a combination of central blood shifts, sudden onset of high exercise demands, and impaired diastolic relaxation of the left ventricle. Divers also develop venous gas emboli caused by nitrogen supersaturation in blood and tissues during ascent from depth. The physiology and physics of water immersion and diving are unique. Knowledge of pressure effects, gas solubility, and changes in gas volumes with depth is needed to understand the disorders related to these activities.