Arrhythmias more common in intense athletes: study

By Andrew M. Seaman NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Cross-country skiers who have completed more races at faster speeds have a higher risk of developing a heart rhythm disorder than their slower, less-seasoned peers, a new study from Sweden suggests. Researchers found athletes who completed at least five races over ten years were 30 percent more likely to be diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat, known as an arrhythmia, than those who only finished one race. “It supports the notion that’s been around forever that athletes are not immune to heart disease,” said Dr. …