Excessive is harmful! Ensuring a reasonable exercise intensity is key

Currently, exercise and fitness are an important part of many people’s lives. What is the relationship between exercise and the risk of sudden cardiac death? How can one scientifically engage in exercise to avoid the risk of cardiac sudden death? What are the recognizable warning signs of cardiac sudden death? How can exercise-related sudden death be effectively prevented?

Data from the “Epidemiological Survey of Cardiac Sudden Death in China” shows that approximately 550,000 people experience sudden cardiac death each year in our country, with the proportion of cases among young people aged 18 to 35 rising significantly from 12% in 2015 to 28% in 2024.

In response to public concerns, a reporter from the “Workers’ Daily” interviewed Wang Fang, an expert in cardiovascular exercise medicine, president of the Cardiovascular Exercise Medicine Branch of the China Medical and Health Culture Association, and chief physician of the Department of Cardiology at Beijing Hospital.

What is exercise-related sudden death? What are its characteristics? Wang Fang explains that whether it’s morning jogging, night running, or intense sports like basketball or soccer, these can all be considered “exercise” aimed at physical fitness. When a person experiences discomfort during or after exercise and ultimately suffers “non-traumatic death” (mostly caused by abnormal cardiopulmonary function), this is termed exercise-related sudden death.

Is exercise-related sudden death caused by excessive exercise? Wang Fang indicates that this is not necessarily the case. Activities like morning or night jogging, which many people enjoy, are primarily aimed at relaxation and stretching, and the exercise volume is not large. However, for those who already have certain underlying heart diseases, the limits can be hard to gauge. They may appear quite robust and feel fine while running, but the strain can trigger pathological changes, revealing hidden heart conditions in a way that spirals out of control.

“Running is not the problem; ensuring reasonable exercise intensity is key.” In this regard, Wang Fang believes that excessive exercise is often just a trigger. Some individuals may seem perfectly normal until their heart’s load increases to a certain level after exercise, at which point various issues may emerge. Therefore, it is crucial to control the intensity of exercise and avoid exceeding safe limits.

“Whether it’s a marathon event or daily exercise, the core premise is scientific exercise. The exercise plan must be individualized, based on precise physical assessments.” Wang Fang states, “First, a basic disease screening must be completed before exercising, with a focus on checking for any underlying heart-related conditions. If underlying conditions are present, exercise contraindications must be ruled out, targeted treatment must be provided, and the condition must be stable before a professional risk assessment is completed. Only then should a gradual training plan be developed based on individual physical conditions. Moreover, the idea of ‘challenging oneself’ should not deviate from one’s actual capabilities; engaging in exercise that consistently exceeds physical limits can exacerbate cardiovascular damage.”

Exercise itself is an important method for maintaining cardiovascular health and improving physical function, but unscientific exercise patterns may instead trigger adverse cardiovascular events, even leading to tragedies of sudden death. Wang Fang particularly reminds the young workforce to avoid long-term high-frequency high-intensity exercise and not to push themselves to exercise while fatigued.

Wang Fang emphasizes: If symptoms such as persistent fatigue, weakness, cold sweat, or chest discomfort occur during exercise, one must immediately slow down or stop exercising and seek medical attention for relevant examinations. This is crucial to avoid serious cardiovascular events.

Wang Fang specifically reminds those who exercise to assess themselves before engaging in physical activity; if uncomfortable, stop immediately. For those who do not exercise, prolonged sitting is the most dangerous; moving is essential for survival. “For everyone, it is important to respect the heart, exercise scientifically, and cherish life.”