Concerns are raised by the death of a Bengaluru cyclist; experts explain how excessive exercise might endanger your heart

The death of Bengaluru cyclist Anil Kadsur, 45, from a heart attack has spurred debates about the risks associated with high levels of physical activity and exercise.

Many people are wondering, “How much exercise is too much exercise?” in the wake of learning about Kadsur’s passing. However, authorities and practitioners in medicine assert that “too much of anything is harmful, including physical activity.”

The precise reason of Kadsur’s death—he identified as a “strength and conditioning coach”—has not been made public, but the well-known rider was an inspiration to cycling aficionados all throughout the nation.

Kadsur’s Instagram page states that he rode more than 2.71 lakh km as “lifetime kilometers”; the post was made on October 20, 2023.

Kadsur, who goes by the loving nicknames “century cyclist,” “cycle yogi,” or “cycle guru,” recently announced on social media that he had succeeded in riding a bicycle 100 kilometers every day for 42 months in a row. On the same day that he posted about his accomplishment on social media, he was admitted to the hospital, according to a Times of India story, because he felt uneasy.

LISTEN TO YOUR HUMAN FORM.
Although most people agree that cycling is a beneficial kind of exercise, experts advise against “excessive” training.

Experts cautioned against doing strenuous physical activity like cycling since they might strain the heart. Cycling-related heart attack risk factors include genetic susceptibility, hyperexertion, dehydration, severe weather, and pre-existing cardiac problems.

They said that although consistent exercise is essential for preserving health, paying attention to your body’s signals is just as vital. Routine health examinations and awareness of warning signs and symptoms are crucial, especially for those who have a strong interest for a particular physical activity, such as cycling, gym-going, aerobic training, or marathon running.

WHAT CAN GO WRONG WITH CYCLING?
Dr. Ajay Kaul, Chairman of Cardiac Sciences at Fortis Hospital in Noida, affirms that cycling is a beneficial workout that enhances cardiovascular health, builds muscle, and enhances general well-being.

Similarly, cycling has been described as a “excellent aerobic exercise, which is gentler on the knees too” by Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a neurologist at Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad and an avid runner himself.

According to Kumar, many people choose it as their go-to workout to increase their cardiorespiratory fitness. On the other hand, riding too much might be harmful to your health.

The “dose-response” between exercise intensity and the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is a scientific phenomena that Kumar described. This response is often U-shaped.

This implies that the risk of CVDs first decreases when an inactive individual begins to exercise. Until a “saturation point” is achieved, the dangers decrease as exercise intensity and duration rise. At this point, the health benefits of exercise begin to plateau, and the risks of CVDs start to rise with more activity.

Kumar cautioned, “Therefore, a person should exercise within their limits,” citing his observation that Kadsur was riding a 100-kilometer bike every day for 42 months straight with no days off.

Not only was the quantity of riding excessive, but it was also not a good idea to skip a rest day. People who exercise seven days a week have a greater risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and early mortality, according to research.

Those who engage in strenuous endurance workouts like long-distance cycling or running should set aside one day each week for rehabilitation, according to Kumar, a marathon runner himself.

Furthermore, Kaul from Fortis said that underlying cardiac problems that may not have been discovered beforehand might potentially cause unexpected cardiac events.

SLEEP COMPROMISES COULD DEATH
Upon seeing the times of his riding, prominent gastroenterologist Dr Rajeev Jayadevan in Kochi raised concerns about both the amount and quality of his sleep.

“Sleep was a danger factor that was often overlooked. Media sources state that bikers who died used to wake up at 2:30 am every day in order to ride 100 kilometers. It is not advised to have such a healthy lifestyle.

Jayadevan, who is also the president of the Indian Medical Association in Kochi and chairperson of the scientific committee, clarified that sleep deprivation causes the body to undergo several metabolic changes, such as an increase in insulin resistance, which in turn fuels a number of cardiovascular risk factors.

“A single night’s sleep loss wouldn’t have much of an impact, but consistently losing sleep puts one at great risk,” he said, citing research indicating that those with fewer than six hours of sleep are more susceptible to heart attacks and strokes.

HOW MUCH WORKOUT IS POSSIBLE?
Individual differences in age, fitness ability, underlying medical issues, and lifestyle all influence how much exercise is required.

Adults should normally strive for 150 minutes or 75 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week, in addition to engaging in muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days of the week, according to Kaul from Fortis.

But in order to choose the right workout program based on personal health goals and concerns, it’s crucial to speak with a healthcare provider, he said.

Jayadevan clarified that in order to prevent chronic illnesses, people must become more physically active as a result of the increased use of technology.

We are aware that a sedentary lifestyle raises the risk of a number of illnesses, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, heart disease, and others. But a crucial issue is how much physical exercise is required.

Scientific research that was published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology demonstrated that an active lifestyle with daily step counts exceeding 3,000 steps will begin to show benefits after a few years, including a decrease in the overall risk of cardiovascular diseases and death.

Jayadevan said, “As the daily step count grows, there is an incremental improvement. However, this does not suggest that a person with a very high level of activity would live an infinitely long life. Anything in excess is bad, whether it food, exercise, medication, or sleep.

AIM FOR THESE IMAGES
Whether it’s a labor-intensive job or a hobby like cycling, participating in physically demanding activities calls for knowledge of a number of aspects to maintain safety and well-being.

These include consuming enough water, eating healthily, getting enough sleep and recuperation, wearing the proper protective gear, identifying and treating signs of exhaustion or overexertion, and getting regular checkups to find any underlying medical conditions that could be dangerous when exercising.

“People should also be aware of environmental factors that can affect their health and performance during physical exertion, such as temperature extremes and pollution levels,” said Kaul.

Dr. Praveen Sadarmin, a consultant cardiologist at Narayana Health City in Bengaluru, advises individuals to avoid overexerting themselves since it might strain the heart and cause a cardiac episode. This is particularly important in harsh weather or high altitude circumstances.

Moreover, vulnerability may also be increased by personal genetic predispositions and lifestyle decisions like smoking or eating poorly. Arrhythmias may cause abrupt cardiac death in even the healthiest people.

Sadarmin recommended that bikers follow a balanced training program, pay attention to their bodies, and get frequent checkups. It should be necessary for all professional athletes, including cyclists, to get medical clearance. In the end, even if riding a bike helps heart health, maintaining general wellbeing requires being aware of personal risk factors and exercising prudence.