Andrey Amador Reveals Heart Fibrosis Diagnosis After Years of Professional Cycling
The former professional cyclist emphasizes the importance of heart health checks after experiencing complications from overtraining.
Andrey Amador, a former professional cyclist from Costa Rica, has opened up about his recent diagnosis of heart fibrosis, a condition he attributes to years of intense training and competition.
His experience underscores the critical need for regular health check-ups among athletes at all levels, both competitive and recreational.
Having transitioned to professional cycling in 2009, Amador recalled that he was aware of some heart irregularities years prior.
"There was something happening in the heart area.
Fortunately, with today’s advancements in medical technology and healthcare access, my condition was discovered," he stated.
He stressed the importance of monitoring one’s health, especially for athletes who often push their limits.
Amador noted that he had been training rigorously until around 2017, when he began noticing concerning symptoms.
"It wasn't that I had the heart of an athlete; it was something more that shouldn’t be an absolute limitation.
I believe regular check-ups are vital," he remarked, encouraging fellow athletes to prioritize their heart health.
His decision to retire from professional cycling was heavily influenced by thoughts of his family, including his two daughters and wife.
He cited the need to scale back on intense cycling, saying that while he initially considered options to continue his career, he ultimately chose to step back after achieving his professional goals.
Currently, Amador engages in sports at a more relaxed pace, having returned to his passion for mountain biking.
Recently, he won the Titan Desert race in Morocco and the NicaChallenge, enjoying competitive cycling again but with a renewed focus on moderation.
In a recent check-up with cardiologist Carlos Brenes, Amador reiterated the necessity of monitoring heart health, especially when participating in competitive sports.
He recounted an experience where he and a teammate underwent cardiac evaluations in 2009, where abnormalities were noted.
Unlike Amador, his teammate ignored the warning and sadly suffered a fatal heart incident some time later.
Amador reflected on the importance of heeding medical advice, stating, "When a doctor signals a 'stop' and indicates a potential serious issue, it is crucial to listen."
Dr. Brenes detailed Amador’s condition, identifying focal fibrosis in the heart muscle, which is believed to have resulted from overtraining during his formative years as an athlete.
He explained that while the heart adapts to rigorous training demands, there can be severe repercussions, leading to issues like arrhythmias that can pose life-threatening risks.
Dr. Brenes underscored that athletes should not shy away from monitoring their health, reinforcing that Amador's experience is a cautionary tale for both elite and amateur sportspeople.
"Andrey’s case exemplifies the need for proper management of training loads and acknowledging the limits of one’s body.
The regularity of health checks is indispensable, particularly in high-intensity sports," Dr. Brenes noted.
Despite his heart condition, Amador reports no current symptoms such as fainting or irregular heartbeats.
The irregularities highlighted in his electrocardiograms were confirmed via echocardiograms and later analyzed more comprehensively through cardiac MRI.
Dr. Brenes concluded that the documented heart changes in Amador are believed to result from excessive training and remind athletes of the importance of responsible health management.
His experience underscores the critical need for regular health check-ups among athletes at all levels, both competitive and recreational.
Having transitioned to professional cycling in 2009, Amador recalled that he was aware of some heart irregularities years prior.
"There was something happening in the heart area.
Fortunately, with today’s advancements in medical technology and healthcare access, my condition was discovered," he stated.
He stressed the importance of monitoring one’s health, especially for athletes who often push their limits.
Amador noted that he had been training rigorously until around 2017, when he began noticing concerning symptoms.
"It wasn't that I had the heart of an athlete; it was something more that shouldn’t be an absolute limitation.
I believe regular check-ups are vital," he remarked, encouraging fellow athletes to prioritize their heart health.
His decision to retire from professional cycling was heavily influenced by thoughts of his family, including his two daughters and wife.
He cited the need to scale back on intense cycling, saying that while he initially considered options to continue his career, he ultimately chose to step back after achieving his professional goals.
Currently, Amador engages in sports at a more relaxed pace, having returned to his passion for mountain biking.
Recently, he won the Titan Desert race in Morocco and the NicaChallenge, enjoying competitive cycling again but with a renewed focus on moderation.
In a recent check-up with cardiologist Carlos Brenes, Amador reiterated the necessity of monitoring heart health, especially when participating in competitive sports.
He recounted an experience where he and a teammate underwent cardiac evaluations in 2009, where abnormalities were noted.
Unlike Amador, his teammate ignored the warning and sadly suffered a fatal heart incident some time later.
Amador reflected on the importance of heeding medical advice, stating, "When a doctor signals a 'stop' and indicates a potential serious issue, it is crucial to listen."
Dr. Brenes detailed Amador’s condition, identifying focal fibrosis in the heart muscle, which is believed to have resulted from overtraining during his formative years as an athlete.
He explained that while the heart adapts to rigorous training demands, there can be severe repercussions, leading to issues like arrhythmias that can pose life-threatening risks.
Dr. Brenes underscored that athletes should not shy away from monitoring their health, reinforcing that Amador's experience is a cautionary tale for both elite and amateur sportspeople.
"Andrey’s case exemplifies the need for proper management of training loads and acknowledging the limits of one’s body.
The regularity of health checks is indispensable, particularly in high-intensity sports," Dr. Brenes noted.
Despite his heart condition, Amador reports no current symptoms such as fainting or irregular heartbeats.
The irregularities highlighted in his electrocardiograms were confirmed via echocardiograms and later analyzed more comprehensively through cardiac MRI.
Dr. Brenes concluded that the documented heart changes in Amador are believed to result from excessive training and remind athletes of the importance of responsible health management.