Golfing Can Work The Heart Too Hard

Take A Cart Or Shorten The Game

A new study brings a word of caution for golfers with heart disease. The research finds the game could put a strain on the heart.

Researchers measured the exercise capacity in 40 golfers through nine holes -- half had heart disease. Exercise capacity measures how hard you can exercise before reaching exhaustion.

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On average, players with heart disease worked at 57 percent of their exercise capacity, with some going over 100 percent at times. Their healthier counterparts worked at only 46 percent.

Researchers say while a game of golf may seem safe, heart patients who aren't fit may want to check with their doctor before walking the links.

Researchers say their findings don't mean that golf is out of the picture for heart patients, but those at high risk may want to take a cart or shorten their game.

Johns Hopkins University and Wake Forest University conducted the study. Results were published in a recent issue of the Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation.

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