Cardiologist for marathons: Safe and healthy over the 42.195 kilometers

A cardiologist with marathon expertise is your most important medical partner for mastering the immense challenge of a marathon not only successfully, but above all in good heart health. The fascination of marathons is unbroken, but the extreme stress places the highest demands on the cardiovascular system. As a certified sports cardiologist (DGK) and experienced Cardiologist for marathonDr. Raphael Bruno offers you specialized care tailored to the unique needs of long-distance runners - from preventive care to performance optimization.

The marathon and the heart: an extreme challenge

A marathon is more than just a long race; it is a physiological stress test for the entire body. The heart has to provide an enormous pumping performance for hours, maintaining up to 80% of the maximum heart rate. This results in a considerable volume load, fluid and electrolyte shifts and stressing the heart muscle to its limits. A healthy, well-trained heart adapts to these demands. However, if undetected heart disease is present, this extreme strain can become a serious, even life-threatening risk. The task of the Cardiologists for marathons-runner is to minimize this risk.

The examination by the cardiologist before the marathon: the „heart MOT“

Every runner planning a marathon - especially beginners and all athletes over the age of 35 - should have a sports cardiology examination beforehand. This „heart check-up“ is the most important preventative measure to ensure that you start safely.

Checklist for the marathon check-up

Cardiologist and marathon training: performance diagnostics for optimal control

A Cardiologist for marathon-Runner can do more than just check your health. Using sports medical performance diagnostics (lactate test or spiroergometry), we can put your training on a scientific basis. Instead of training according to standardized plans, we determine your individual heart rate and speed ranges. This allows us to precisely control your training in order to improve your basic endurance, your speed at the anaerobic threshold and your ability to regenerate. Such diagnostics are the key to avoiding over- and under-training and to achieving your best possible performance on race day.

Warning signs during training: when to see a cardiologist before a marathon?

Your body sends you signals. As a runner, you must learn to distinguish between normal training exhaustion and genuine warning symptoms. Never ignore the following „red flags“. If they occur, seek immediate Cardiologists for marathons-preparation.

• Chest pain or unclear tightness during or after running.
• Shortness of breath, that is significantly stronger than usual or does not match the intensity of the exercise.
• Palpitations or persistent heart palpitations, that goes beyond individual „hops“.
• Dizziness, light-headedness or near fainting during the run.
• A sudden and inexplicable drop in performance, which does not improve even after days of rest.
• Any kind of discomfort after a flu-like infection. Myocarditis must be ruled out here.

The cardiologist after the marathon: regeneration and next goals

The support provided by the Cardiologists after the marathon is an often neglected but important aspect. The body needs adequate regeneration time after extreme exertion. We can advise you on how to actively manage this phase. Especially if problems occurred during the competition, a follow-up examination is useful to clarify the causes and adapt the strategy for future goals. Analyzing your performance and physical response is the first step in preparing for your next marathon.

Frequently asked questions from runners to the cardiologist before a marathon

Here you will find answers to common questions we are asked by marathon runners in practice.

I'm under 35 and feel in great shape. Do I really need a check-up?

Even if the risk is lower at a young age, the most common causes of sudden heart problems in sport are congenital, undetected diseases. A basic check-up with ECG and cardiac ultrasound at the Cardiologists before a marathon is therefore also a highly recommended safety measure for young, fit athletes.

What does my low resting heart rate say about my marathon fitness?

A low resting heart rate (e.g. below 50 beats/min) is usually a very good sign for well-trained endurance athletes. It shows that your heart is working economically. A sports cardiologist can reliably distinguish this normal adaptation in the ECG from a pathologically slow heartbeat.

Can I run a marathon with a known, mild heart defect?

This is a highly individualized decision that only an experienced Cardiologist for marathon-runners after a comprehensive examination. Participation is possible for many mild, hemodynamically irrelevant heart defects. However, it requires precise diagnostics and clear clearance from the specialist.

How do I deal with occasional heart palpitations during training?

Individual, harmless extrasystoles can also occur in healthy people. However, if they occur more frequently, as „volleys“ or in conjunction with dizziness or reduced performance, an immediate clarification by means of an exercise and long-term ECG with a sports cardiologist is required before you continue training.

My blood pressure is always very high at the finish. Is that normal?

Blood pressure rises physiologically during a marathon. However, extreme, dizzying spikes in blood pressure are not normal. Excessive exercise-induced hypertension, which can be detected in the exercise ECG, is a risk factor that should be treated.

Which is more dangerous: the marathon itself or the training beforehand?

Statistically, most tragic incidents occur during the race itself, especially in the final kilometers. However, the basis for this is often laid by unrecognized problems during months of training. Careful preparation and clarification is the key to safety.

I had Covid-19, how long should my break be before marathon training?

The „return to sport“ recommendations after Covid-19 are strict. After even a mild, symptomatic course, a break from sport for several weeks and a subsequent medical examination before resuming intensive training is mandatory. A Cardiologist for marathon-preparation is the right point of contact here to rule out post-COVID myocarditis.

How do I recognize the difference between an athlete's heart and a pathological thickening?

This is the core competence of a certified sports cardiologist. He uses cardiac ultrasound and specific ECG criteria to reliably distinguish the harmonious, symmetrical enlargement of a healthy athlete's heart from the often asymmetrical and stiff thickening of a pathological cardiomyopathy.

Does performance diagnostics also make sense for amateur runners?

Yes, absolutely. Amateur runners with ambitious goals in particular benefit enormously. They learn to make the most of their limited training time by training in the right heart rate zones. A Cardiologist, the marathon-The training program of the sports club can help to increase performance and at the same time reduce the risk of overloading.

How do I find the right cardiologist for marathon preparation in Düsseldorf?

Look specifically for a specialist in cardiology who also has the qualifications „Sports Medicine“ and ideally „Sports Cardiology (DGK)“. Dr. Raphael Bruno combines precisely this expertise in his practice in Düsseldorf to provide marathon runners with the highest level of care.

Your safe route to the finish line

A marathon is an unforgettable experience. Make sure it's memorable for all the right reasons. Professional sports cardiology care is the key to healthy and successful preparation. Make your appointment for a comprehensive „heart MOT“ at Dr. Raphael Bruno's practice and head to the starting line with confidence and security.