Concerning Link Between SUP and Cardiac Events

In recent years, SUP surfing has become a popular sport among both men and women. It is a water sport that has its roots in surfing, where the surfer stands on a surfboard and paddles with an oar. The sport itself has many health benefits as it works on strength, strengthens many muscles, improves balance, increases cardiopulmonary endurance, and unlike other sports, does not harm the joints. However, unlike other types of physical activity such as running, strength training or cycling, SUP takes place in the sea, and when surfers don't feel well, they cannot immediately stop, something which is necessary to lower their heart rate and improve symptoms.

The specialists conducting the study found that over the past three years, there were a number of similar cases involving patients aged 40-70, most of them healthy without any underlying medical conditions, who arrived at the emergency room following a cardiac event while SUP surfing. Some of them arrived even after resuscitation in the field, and others during a heart attack. All were catheterized and found to have a blocked artery in their heart.

The article, published in the Israel Medical Association Journal (IMAJ), was written by the senior team of Hillel Yaffe’s Cardiac Division: Dr. Maggie Barel, Dr. Majeed Zahalka, Dr. Ofer Kobo, Dr. Adham Zeidan, Dr. Rami Abu Fanne, Prof. Simcha Meisel and Prof. Ariel Roguin.

SUP surfing - risk of cardiac events that aren't always treated in time. Photo: pexels, kindelmedia

"If a person doesn't feel well, especially when they're at sea, the first thing they'll try to do is paddle quickly towards the shore. This actually makes their condition worse, because as they exert themselves more, the heart works harder, and medical treatment is also delayed until they reach shore. This is a difficult issue as immediate medical treatment is not possible, and sometimes the results can be fatal," stated Prof. Ariel Roguin, Cardiology Division Director at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center.

"If a person does not feel well during physical activity, especially if symptoms worsen with exertion and improve with rest - sometimes this is the body's warning sign and should be investigated," said Dr. Maggie Barel, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Director.

"To minimize the damage and risk of cardiac events, we advise everyone to undergo a comprehensive series of tests, along with monitoring risk factors such as diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure, and controlling them when necessary, while avoiding activities known to be harmful such as smoking. It's also important to remain vigilant, so that if you don't feel well, you can call in emergency assistance quickly," said Prof. Roguin.