Heart Disease & Exercise: Benefits Outweigh Risks, Say Cardiologists
- While physical activity typically boosts overall health, certain individuals may face increased cardiovascular risks.
- In Québec, cycling, hockey, and hunting recorded the highest number of natural deaths during leisure activities; 95% of these were sudden cardiac deaths.
- Philippe Richard, PhD, lead investigator with the Ministère de l'Éducation du Québec, noted the critical lack of AEDs, especially since activities like cycling, hunting, jogging, hiking, walking, and...
Cardiologists assert that the benefits of exercise often outweigh the risks for cardiovascular health, even though some individuals might face heightened dangers. Recent studies highlight specific risks across various sports. Cycling, hockey, and hunting have shown a higher frequency of natural deaths during leisure. A critical aspect is the scarcity of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in emergency scenarios. Experts advocate for athlete autonomy in assessing safety. A sedentary lifestyle poses a greater primary_keyword risk and is more damaging than recreation and sports, making movement essential for heart health. This piece, presented by News Directory 3, analyzes the latest research, including research on decreasing premature mortality. Discover what’s next in the advancements for heart health and exercise, focusing on preventative measures.
Balancing Exercise Risks and Benefits for Cardiovascular Health
Updated June 28, 2025
While physical activity typically boosts overall health, certain individuals may face increased cardiovascular risks. Cardiologists emphasize that the advantages generally outweigh these potential dangers. Recent studies in CJC Open and the Canadian Journal of Cardiology detail the specific risks tied to various sports and recreational pursuits.
In Québec, cycling, hockey, and hunting recorded the highest number of natural deaths during leisure activities; 95% of these were sudden cardiac deaths. Researchers analyzed coroners’ reports, autopsy results, and police records from January 2006 to December 2019 to assess the frequency, causes, and characteristics of these deaths.The study identified 2,234 sport and recreation-related deaths,averaging three per week,including unintentional injuries. Of these, 297 stemmed from natural causes, with death rates rising after age 35 and peaking in males 45 and older. A key finding: automated external defibrillators (AEDs) were not readily accessible in 65% of these cases.
Philippe Richard, PhD, lead investigator with the Ministère de l’Éducation du Québec, noted the critical lack of AEDs, especially since activities like cycling, hunting, jogging, hiking, walking, and swimming often occur in areas where AEDs are not easily available. He said Québec’s pending AED legislation must extend beyond public places to ensure coverage in rural or remote areas where risks are higher and emergency care access is crucial.
carl J. Lavie, MD, of the Ochsner heart and Vascular Institute, coauthor of an editorial on reducing exercise-related cardiac mortality, said reducing premature mortality is a priority for clinicians. He suggested placing aeds in remote locations or areas with high exercise traffic, and exploring drone-delivered AED networks. Tho, he cautioned that maintenance and financial costs might limit feasibility. Lavie added that while ultraportable AEDs are promising, more research is needed to confirm their performance and safety before widespread adoption.
The research team, led by Richard, suggests that their findings-identifying at-risk populations, addressing remote area challenges, and stressing medical screening, AEDs, CPR, and legislation-apply to othre physically demanding tasks common in Canada, such as snow shoveling or gardening. The study highlights the importance of understanding exercise risks and benefits for cardiovascular health.
Researchers at the University of Toronto’s Sports Cardiology program have observed that many caregivers, including cardiologists and family physicians, have major concerns about the risk of sport, especially endurance sport, in individuals with any type of heart disease.They frequently enough counsel these individuals to severely limit their athletic and sport activity. However, there is a shift in philosophy, with recent research and expert guidance from professional societies downplaying the risks.The investigators have compared the risk of sport and training to risks undertaken in recreational activities and “activities of living” to provide context.
Paul Dorian, MD, MSc, FRCPC, lead investigator and author from the University of Toronto, said that sudden death during sport is extremely rare.He believes athletes should decide what is safe for them, rather than being told what is allowed.He added that vigorous physical activity is relatively safe for most individuals with heart disease.
Paul Poirier, MD, PhD, senior investigator from Laval University, cautioned against avoiding cycling, hockey, and hunting due to associated death risks. He said more people die of cardiac arrest while inactive. ”A sedentary lifestyle is much more damaging than recreation and sports,” Poirier said.
What’s next
Further research will focus on improving AED accessibility in remote areas and developing more effective strategies for preventing sudden cardiac deaths during recreational activities. The goal is to promote safe exercise and improve cardiovascular health for all individuals.