Sports participation and lifestyle in middle-aged adults with congenital heart disease

Background

Sports are associated with numerous physiological and psychological benefits. However, it is unclear to what extent adults with congenital heart disease(CHD) participate in sports and whether this is safe. Furthermore, little is known about lifestyle habits in this group.

Methods

Consecutive patients diagnosed with atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, pulmonary stenosis, tetralogy of Fallot and transposition of the great arteries who underwent open-heart surgery during childhood between 1968 and 1980 were included in a longitudinal follow-up study. Patients underwent cardiological investigations every 10 years and completed a questionnaire regarding sports participation in 2011 and in 2021.

Results

Of the 2021 cohort(n = 204, mean age:50 years, 46%female), 49% participated in sports. Compared to the general Dutch population they invested less time in sport(female: p = 0.03, male: p = 0.03). Patients participating in sports had better exercise capacity (p < 0.001) and lower average heart rate(p < 0.001). Patients engaged in sports reported better physical and mental health when compared to the norm and non-sporters. Mortality and cardiac events did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Finally, no difference in lifestyle was found between adults with CHD and the general population, only smoking was less often reported among adults with CHD(p = 0.036).

Conclusions

Adults with CHD are significantly less involved in sports than their peers. Patients who were engaged in sports had better physical and mental health compared to those who were not. Sport participation was associated with lower heart rate and better exercise capacity. No negative effect in terms of cardiac events was observed in sporters. No signs of bad lifestyle were observed in adults with CHD.