Here’s a startling fact: even the fittest older male cyclists might be facing hidden heart risks. But don’t let that scare you off your bike just yet. Exercise is undeniably a powerhouse for health, and we’ve sung its praises countless times for its endless benefits. Yet, as with many good things, there’s a flip side—especially when it comes to high-intensity, long-term exercise. Over decades, pushing your body to the limit can take a toll, and the heart often ends up in the crosshairs.
A recent eye-opening study from the University of Leeds, backed by the British Heart Foundation, has shed light on a concerning trend: older male athletes, particularly those in endurance sports, may face a higher risk of life-threatening heart rhythms. And this is the part most people miss: the study, published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging, found that these athletes were more likely to have heart scarring compared to non-athletes. Even more alarming? Athletes with scarring were 4.5 times more likely to experience dangerous heart rhythm episodes.
The research focused on 106 healthy male endurance athletes over 50, all cyclists or triathletes, who had been training for at least 10 hours a week for 15 years or more. None had cardiac symptoms or diagnosed heart disease. At the start, their hearts were scanned for scarring using MRI, and they were fitted with implantable loop recorders to monitor heart rhythms.
The results were striking: 47% of these athletes had heart scarring, primarily at the bottom of the left ventricle—the heart’s main pumping chamber. This was over four times higher than in a similar group of non-athletes (11%). Over two years, 22% of the athletes experienced at least one episode of ventricular tachycardia (VT), a potentially deadly arrhythmia. Of those, 78% had pre-existing heart scarring. Three participants even had sustained VT episodes, which can be fatal if untreated.
Dr. Sonya Babu-Narayan, a consultant cardiologist at the British Heart Foundation, emphasized, ‘Exercise is undeniably good for the heart—it lowers blood pressure, manages cholesterol, and boosts mental health. But this study suggests that in some veteran male athletes, years of intense exercise may have impacted their heart health.’ She stressed the need for further research, particularly in women, to identify those at risk and potentially save lives with implantable defibrillators.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Does this mean older athletes should hang up their bikes? Absolutely not, says 74-year-old Brian Cookson, a former UCI president and one of the study participants. Cookson, who experienced a VT episode during training, was fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and is back on his bike—though he’s now more cautious. ‘I wouldn’t change a thing about my cycling journey,’ he says. ‘The health benefits of a lifetime of activity are undeniable. But this is a wake-up call: don’t take your health for granted. If you have symptoms, get them checked.’
Dr. Peter Swoboda, the study’s lead researcher, echoed this sentiment: ‘These findings shouldn’t deter anyone from exercising. Our study focused on a niche group, and not all athletes had heart scarring. Being active is still one of the best things you can do for your health.’ He urged anyone experiencing symptoms like blackouts, dizziness, chest pain, or breathlessness to seek medical advice.
So, should older cyclists be worried? Not if they’re smart about it. Cookson’s advice? ‘Act your age—but keep pedaling.’ And that’s the takeaway: exercise is a gift, but listen to your body and stay informed. What’s your take? Do these findings make you rethink your approach to endurance sports? Let us know in the comments!
