Heart scarring found in half of older male endurance athletes

In some veteran male athletes, research suggests that intense exercise over many years may have affected their heart health. — 123rf

Older male endurance athletes may be at higher risk of heart scarring and related complications, according to a new study.

Sudden cardiac death is a “leading cause of mortality” in athletes, experts said as they set out to investigate whether endurance athletes had heart scarring and linked heart rhythm problems.