Atrial Fibrillation in Athletes - The Story Behind The Running Hearts

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most commonly encountered arrhythmia in clinical practice but the mechanisms underlying the initiation and maintenance of AF are yet to be clarified. It is well-known that regular exercise is beneficial to health and reduces the risks of cardiovascular diseases. However, recent studies suggest that long-term endurance exercise, including running [1], swimming, rowing [2] and cycling [3], or vigorous competitive sports may increase the incidence of AF in these athletes. This review article is intended to provide a summary of the possible links between exercise and AF.