"rachael simpson" wrote in message
...
Just a head's up for anyone interested....

Rae
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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Deer hunting could be a dangerous endeavor for
men with heart disease or risk factors for it, research findings suggest.

In a study of 25 middle-aged male deer hunters, researchers found that the
activities inherent to hunting -- like walking over rough terrain,
shooting an animal and dragging its carcass -- sent the men's heart rates
up significantly.

In some cases, this led to potentially dangerous heart-rhythm
disturbances, or diminished oxygen supply to the heart.

Of the 25 hunters, 17 had established coronary heart disease, while the
rest had risk factors such as being overweight, smoking or having high
blood pressure or cholesterol.

The findings suggest that for men like these, hunting could boost the risk
of heart attack or cardiac arrest.

Susan Haapaniemi and colleagues at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal
Oaks, Michigan, report the findings in the American Journal of Cardiology.

For the study, the researchers outfitted each man with a portable monitor
that continuously recorded his heart's electrical activity during a day of
deer hunting. For comparison, the men also had their hearts monitored as
they exercised on a treadmill on a separate day.

In general, the researchers found, deer hunting put the men's hearts under
more strain than the treadmill did. Ten men exceeded the maximum heart
rate they logged on the treadmill, and several showed potentially
dangerous heart responses to hunting that they did not show during the
treadmill test.

Three men had signs of impeded blood flow to the heart during hunting, but
not on the treadmill. Similarly, three of the men with heart disease had
heart-rhythm abnormalities while hunting that did not show up on the
treadmill test.

The combination of physical exertion, adrenaline rush and the stress of
rough terrain and cold weather may explain the "excessive cardiac demands"
seen with hunting, according to Haapaniemi's team.

What's more, they point out, most of the men in the study were taking part
in an exercise program to treat their heart disease, or were regularly
physically active. Hunting could be an even greater strain on the heart in
men who are usually sedentary, the researchers note.

SOURCE: American Journal of Cardiology, July 15, 2007.

Have to agree this would be a problem for anyone out of shape. As would any
other strenuous exercise similar to it. Some "honey do"s can do the same
thing.

But, I've found just listening to your body signs is enough to know when to
stop or slow down. But, I guess, that's just me.
Dave