Is badminton good for your heart?

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justin

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My doctor friend told me he lost a good friend in the badminton court. He was supposing a fit person, but had a massive heart attack, at the age of 40+

Do you all hear any similar stories? I am in the late 30's, and like to play attacking game, and wonder if I should mellow down a bit?

Any expert out there who can advice?
 
I am no expert but if it is of any help I am about your age and

gaining weight. My doctor tells me that if I don't play badminton

at least twice a week I am going to die from a heart attack.So

many cases of people in their twenties dying in football, maybe

your doctor may say it boils down to genetics and

lifestyle.Some say badminton is less strenous than say,squash

Even Rudy Hartono had a bypass operation a few years back.

Perhaps it is really on a case by case basis.People like say

Tan Aik Huang,Eddy Choong Misbun or even Erland Kops are

still playing as veterans. Like I said I AM NO EXPERT, just

relating my 2 cents experience.
 
I recall a coach in my school who still plays. But I ironically he just clears and drops..he never smashes..he lets his partner perform that task. As for me, I'm around 17 and love the sport. Besides, I've grown taller and quicker..hehe.
 
Those who suddenly collapse in their mid twenties - they are more likely to have a condition called hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) which can be related to genes.

A true heart attack(myocardial infarct) for a person in their midtwenties would be very rare. Another condition called Type I hypercholesterolaemia would be a culprit here.

For myocardial infarcts at the age of forty or above, one has to take the risk benefit ratio. Taking up a vigorous sport in after years of inactivity is not a good idea. It was not uncommon to hear of exactly this happening in people who took up squash. And again, I have heard (though not researched) that the benefits of exercise are lost after a peiod of inactivity. i.e. regular exercise is OK but when you stop, the long term benefits are lost.

Of course, you are going to hear of people collapsing on court but you don't hear so much of the people who collapse doing everyday activities (and how often does it happen?). And you definately won't hear about the people who DON'T get a heart attack from exercise. (get the idea?).

Peronally, I think those people who smoke and play are at a real high risk.
 
Good to have experts in the forum.While on subject of smoking,

I had relatives dying from "coronary" something or other and

usually post mortem links it to hardened arteries( caused by

smoking )unable to clear clogs caused by cholestrol.I try to

advise my friends who smoke and play( who are well educated

people) the views of cardiologists but they shrug it of as the

'usual experts talking nonsense.'

Maybe it would be good to have regular advice in this forum,

we hear of so many promising players hampered by injuries.

The latest tregedy is for players over 40 to land badly and

breaking their ankles or achilles something and having to

hobble to work in crutches or retire and play golf.Can anything

be done to avoid this ? Thanks for any replies.
 
"I try to advise my friends who smoke and play( who are well educated
people) the views of cardiologists but they shrug it of as the
'usual experts talking nonsense.' "

They all say that until they get a heart attack!!
 
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