We’ve been conditioned to think that being fit have all the benefits and none of negative effects, but you may reach the level of fitness that leads to some undesirable side effects. This is especially true for taller people. New research finds that the combination of being very fit and tall can lead to a cardiovascular condition called atrial fibrillation. Over 1.5 million Brits are affected by this condition, which causes the heart to have irregular rhythm and increased heart rate.
Key Takeaways:
- Can you ever be too fit? It may sound unlikely, but actually you can have too much of a good thing when it comes to exercise, especially if you are tall.
- Risk factors include high blood pressure, heart valve problems, blocked arteries, excessive alcohol consumption and an overactive thyroid, all of which make the heart work harder.
- The fitter you are, the more likely you are to feel symptoms, as it brings performance levels down, says Professor Sharma.
“Left untreated, the condition can cause heart failure and stroke. It is triggered by irregular electrical impulses in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) which disturb its rhythm.”
