Recently, E Hospital treated a 20-year-old man who experienced cardiac arrest while working out. Fortunately, he received prompt medical attention. Earlier, a 32-year-old fitness trainer suffered an acute myocardial infarction after a high-intensity workout and required a stent. Such incidents in gyms are not uncommon worldwide.

Doctor Doan Du Manh, a member of the Vietnam Vascular Society, identified 4 common mistakes made by many gym-goers:

Overtraining beyond one's physical limits.

Many young people push themselves too hard, lifting heavy weights and engaging in continuous high-intensity training without considering their underlying health. This overloads the heart, increasing its oxygen demand, leading to arrhythmias, acute hypertension, and even sudden cardiac arrest.

For those with underlying coronary artery disease, excessive exertion can dislodge plaque, causing blockages that lead to strokes or heart attacks. Exercises like chest presses, heavy lifting while holding one's breath (Valsalva maneuver), or using stimulants further increase this risk.

Ignoring warning signs.

Many people dismiss symptoms like chest pain during exertion, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, or brief fainting spells as mere fatigue. However, these can be warning signs of heart problems. If chest pain persists for over 10 minutes, spreads to the left arm, and is accompanied by shortness of breath, immediate medical attention is crucial.

Illustration: Hydroxycut

Abusing supplements and stimulants.

Many gym-goers use high doses of supplements like pre-workout formulas, whey protein, creatine, caffeine, or unregulated products to enhance performance. These substances can cause vasoconstriction, sudden increases in heart rate and blood pressure, creating a perfect storm for ventricular fibrillation or acute myocardial infarction in those with underlying heart conditions. Some unregulated muscle-building drugs may contain banned steroids or stimulants, posing unforeseen risks.

Neglecting regular cardiac check-ups.

Many young people assume they don't need heart check-ups if they feel healthy. However, dangerous arrhythmias like Brugada syndrome, congenital long QT syndrome, or dilated cardiomyopathy may have no noticeable symptoms until a crisis occurs. Regular cardiac check-ups, including electrocardiograms, echocardiograms, or stress tests, are essential before starting high-intensity training to detect any underlying conditions.

Experts acknowledge the health benefits of exercise, but overexertion can pose serious risks. Those who engage in strenuous physical activity, including gym workouts, should have regular check-ups to screen for cardiovascular risks.

If the aforementioned patient intends to resume training, he should consult a doctor, avoid high-intensity exercises, and adopt a healthy lifestyle to prevent recurrence. Individuals with a history of myocardial infarction are at risk of recurrence, with dangerous complications like heart attacks, arrhythmias, and acute heart failure.

Thuy Quynh