The Haywire Heart: How too much exercise can kill you, and what you can do to protect your heart

Price: $18.90
(as of Jan 31, 2026 02:49:37 UTC – Details)


Too much exercise can kill you. The Haywire Heart is the first book to examine heart conditions in athletes. Intended for anyone who competes in endurance sports like cycling, triathlon, running races of all distances, and cross-country skiing, The Haywire Heart presents the evidence that going too hard or too long can damage your heart forever. You’ll find what to watch out for, what to do about it, and how to protect your heart so you can enjoy the sports you love for years to come.
The Haywire Heart shares the developing research into a group of conditions known as “athlete’s heart”, starting with a wide-ranging look at the warning signs, symptoms, and how to recognize your potential risk. Leading cardiac electrophysiologist and masters athlete Dr. John Mandrola explores the prevention and treatment of heart conditions in athletes like arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation and flutter, tachycardia, hypertrophy, and coronary artery disease. He reviews new research about exercise intensity and duration, recovery, inflammation and calcification, and the ways athletes inflict lasting harm.
These heart problems are appearing with alarming frequency among masters athletes who are pushing their bodies harder than ever in the hope that exercise will keep them healthy and strong into their senior years. The book is complete with gripping case studies of elite and age-group athletes from journalist Chris Caselike the scary condition that nearly killed cyclist and coauthor Lennard Zinnand includes a frank discussion of exercise addiction and the mental habits that prevent athletes from seeking medical help when they need it.
Dr. Mandrola explains why many doctors misdiagnose heart conditions in athletes and offers an invaluable guide on how to talk with your doctor about your condition and its proven treatments. He covers known heart irritants, training and rest modifications, effective medicines, and safe supplements that can reduce the likelihood of heart damage from exercise.
Heart conditions affect hardcore athletes as well as those who take up sports seeking better health and weight loss. The Haywire Heart is a groundbreaking and critically important guide to heart care for athletes. By protecting your heart now and watching for the warning signs, you can avoid crippling heart conditions and continue to exercise and compete for years to come.

From the brand

Built for the Elite Athlete

VeloPress was established with a singular mission: to publish high-quality books for endurance and passionate athletes. From cycling and triathlon to running and general fitness, VeloPress offers expert-driven titles that feature top athletes, coaches, and sports scientists. With a catalog that includes training guides, memoirs, coaching manuals, sports science, and adventure narratives, VeloPress has become the leading publisher for the endurance sports community, serving competitive racers and passionate enthusiasts alike.

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Publisher ‏ : ‎ VeloPress
Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 8, 2023
Edition ‏ : ‎ Illustrated
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1937715884
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1937715885
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.73 x 9 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #110,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #29 in Extreme Sports (Books) #60 in Heart Disease (Books) #95 in Sports Training (Books)
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