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Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Semi-automated Optical Heartbeat Analysis of Small Hearts
Published on: September 16, 2009
Abstract:
Examination of 165 athletes showed that their heart was enlarged as compared to the heart of 140 healthy persons who did not take part in sports. Indirect signs of regular ventricular dilatation, moderate myocardial hypertrophy and increased mass of the heart were encountered in athletes. A 30-minute exercise on a bicycle ergometer of 1 500--1 800 kgm/min induced signs of pulmonary hypertension and overexertion of the right heart cavities in athletes. Signs of short-term deposit of blood in the lungs attended by a fall in arterial pressures in the systemic circulation and increase in gas exchange in the lungs were revealed at the beginning and immediately after the exercise. Compensatory hypofunction of the heart and hypotension as compared to the initial condition developed during rest after the physical exercise. The size of the heart was restored due to an increase in residual blood in the ventricles.
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