Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCohort study
Long-Term Incidence of Bradycardia and Pacemaker Implantations Among Cross-Country Skiers: A Cohort Study
- Cohort study
- Swedish National Patient Register used to obtain diagnoses
Authors' conclusion
In this study, male endurance skiers had a higher incidence of bradycardia and pacemaker implantations compared with nonskiers, a pattern not seen in women.
Study context
- Population
- Swedish cross-country skiers (Vasaloppet 1989–2011) and a sample of nonskiers
- Participants
- 209,108 vs 532,290
- Exposure
- Cross-country skiers vs nonskiers
- Skiersn = 209,108
- Nonskiersn = 532,290reference
- Outcome
- Incidence of bradycardia and pacemaker implantations
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Bradycardia and pacemaker implantation, by sex
Skiers vs NonskiersAdjusted hazard ratio (95% CI)
men, bradycardia
1.19(1.05–1.34)
men, pacemaker implantation
1.17(1.04–1.31)
women, bradycardia
0.98(0.75–1.30)
women, pacemaker implantation
0.98(0.75–1.29)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | aHR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall mortality | 0.16 (0.15–0.17) | |
| 0.10.31310Adjusted hazard ratio (log scale) |
Pacemaker indication
- Sick sinus syndrome more common in skiers; third-degree AV block more common in nonskiers
Overall mortality
- No differences in mortality by pacemaker status among skiers
Original publication
Long-Term Incidence of Bradycardia and Pacemaker Implantations Among Cross-Country Skiers: A Cohort Study. Circulation. Published 5 August 2024. doi:10.1161/circulationaha.123.068280
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it