Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter in athletes
Key result
Long-term endurance exercise may increase the incidence of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter in athletes, particularly in those below 60 years of age without known cardiovascular disease.
Population
Endurance athletes and patients with lone atrial fibrillation
Design
Review
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
May warrant AF vigilance in endurance athletes <60 without CVD; leaves open prospective confirmation of causality and management.
Key Points
- To evaluate the prevalence, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, and recommended management approaches for atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter associated with long-term endurance sport practice.
- Synthesized clinical literature on the prevalence, pathophysiology, and treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFl) in endurance athletes.
- Evaluated mechanisms of lone AF in individuals younger than 60 years without traditional cardiovascular risk factors or structural heart disease.
- Long-term endurance exercise is associated with an elevated incidence of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter in athletic cohorts.
- Lone AF accounts for up to 30% of paroxysmal AF presentations seeking medical care in individuals lacking traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension or structural heart disease.
Structured PICO
P
Population
Endurance athletes and patients with lone atrial fibrillation
E
Exposure
Long-term endurance exercise
This review highlights that long-term endurance exercise may increase the incidence of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter, exploring the underlying mechanisms and therapeutic options for athletes.
Cite This Study
Calvo et al. (2012) conducted a review in Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Long-term endurance exercise was evaluated. Long-term endurance exercise may increase the incidence of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter in athletes, particularly in those below 60 years of age without known cardiovascular disease.