Plasma Heart Failure Markers in Athletic Heart Progress in Long Distance Runners

Background: Nature of the athlete’s heart is still doubtful whether it is only a physiological adaptation or a potentially pathological condition. It is characterized by cardiac enlargement with Brady-arrhythmias in individuals participate in long distance runners with exercise capacity without attendant signs of cardiovascular disease. Methods: Two different groups (each of eight subjects) chosen from the qualifying cross country race for Africa competition held on 24/2/2012 in Al Gizera youth centre. First group was adult and ran 12 km. and the second was under 18 years and ran 8 km. Both groups volunteered for this study. Their blood samples were collected pre and post race for assessment of cardiac markers NTproBNP, Galectin-3 and cTnI. Results: All cardiac markers were elevated post exercise compared to that achieved in pre exercise regardless age of athletes. Also, pre exercise adult results were higher in galectin-3 and cTnI but not in proBNP while there is no difference in the acute response in both groups. Theses results revealed micro cardiac necrosis due to long run exercise with possible bad prognosis. Conclusions: it is important to develop risk prediction and screening methods for athletic heart and consider it as disorder not physiological adaptation.