WLWT: Rare heart condition could be fatal for athletes

UC cardiologist discusses the impact of myocarditis

High school and college athletes are training differently in the midst of COVID-19. Athletic institutions are pulling back on starting sports to not only prevent the spread of COVID, but also a potentially deadly heart condition called myocarditis.

Richard Becker, MD, director the UC Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute, told WLWT that “exercise that is very, very high intensity or ultra-high intensity certainly could have an impact on a person's ability to fight infection.”

Myocarditis causes inflammation of the heart muscle, which is enlarged and weakened.  Scar tissue in the heart forces the muscle to work harder to circulate blood and oxygen throughout the body.

Listen to the interview with Dr. Richard Becker online.

Learn more about Dr. Becker’s research at UC. 

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