Playing golf provides safe and effective exercise for most people with heart disease, but for a few it may prove too much.
People who are diagnosed with heart problems may wonder if it is still safe to enjoy a game of golf. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and Wake Forest University have now addressed this question. They followed 20 male golfers, aged between 49 and 78, half of whom had heart problems.

The men underwent a graded exercise test to determine their exercise capacity. Then they played nine holes, pulling their own golf cart and wearing portable devices to assess their oxygen uptake. On average, those with heart disease worked at 57 per cent of the capacity, while healthy men worked at only 46 per cent (and needed to supplement the golf with something a little more strenuous to get the full cardiovascular benefit). A few of the heart patients were working at 100 per cent of their capacity - and needed to ease off their exertions a little, maybe by using a motorised cart. The message is to work out the right level of exercise for you with your health care provider.