New research published Cardiology points to a link between heavy lifting and torn aortas (via SciencCentral):
Scientists believe that strenuous lifting produces big rises in blood pressure - and, apparently, if the activity does not involve "lifting more than about half of your body weight in a leg press or a bench press or other similar activity, you will not see these astronomical rises in blood pressure."
Scare Tactics
There are risks involved in every sport - but this highlights how those with heart problems need to go carefully.
However we should never use such risks as excuses.
Personally I believe a good goal is to be able to lift your own body weight in a number of lifts (whether a bench press, dead lift, a pull-up or chin, or dips).
It turned out that pumping iron earlier that day had pumped up Linski's blood pressure, which caused a tear in his aorta, the heart's main artery.All of the individuals (typically young and healthy) had a previously undetected aneurysm (enlargement of the aorta).
Scientists believe that strenuous lifting produces big rises in blood pressure - and, apparently, if the activity does not involve "lifting more than about half of your body weight in a leg press or a bench press or other similar activity, you will not see these astronomical rises in blood pressure."
Scare Tactics
There are risks involved in every sport - but this highlights how those with heart problems need to go carefully.
However we should never use such risks as excuses.
Personally I believe a good goal is to be able to lift your own body weight in a number of lifts (whether a bench press, dead lift, a pull-up or chin, or dips).
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2 Comments:
I've been following your blog for a few weeks now and am really greatful to you for pointing me in the direction of the big guns article by Ian King over at T-Nation.
Anyway, back onto your post and I have to agree that there are almost always risks involved in sporting activities, but we have to weigh up the benefits. You're at a much greater risk of dying of heart disease if you don't look after yourself and even if you don't die too young you may have a poor quality of life from being overweight.
My father was an amateur bodybuilder and competed right up to the level of Mr Olympia. He has had two heart operations since he was 45 and most of his problems where likely to have been caused by his high intake of red meat and eggs. On the other hand he is still very active at 64 and has been told he is still alive thanks to the strength of his heart. Three male members of my mother's family all died at the age of 50 and did no excercise at all.
So I think we have to weigh up the pros and cons in everything we do. With my family history of heart disease I'm lifting weights but putting in a lot more cardio work than my father and eating a low fat diet.
By TC! at 8:20 AM
Your fathers heart problems are concerning: It's not often we hear about bodybuilders as they get older - particularly with years of high protein intake.
I sincerely hope that he continues to keep active and remain in good health.
Train well.
By Jim at 3:36 PM
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