Roller Coasters Dangerous for Heart Patients?

In an interesting piece of research, investigators from Germany have shown that roller coasters might be dangerous for some people. Picked up as a story by the Los Angeles Times, which said, "A new generation of faster, wilder roller coasters can make the heart race up to 155 beats per minute and spur dangerous changes to heart rhythm in some people," the findings were first published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

In conducting the study, the researchers originally set out to examine how the the speeds and stress of modern roller coasters affect blood pressure and heart rate. While collecting data they found that heart rate increases rapidly while riding a fast coaster, which simulates mild high blood pressure. The changes, though, are well within the range of tolerance for most people. They were surprised, though, when the monitors on one participant showed that the elevated heart rate actually led to an episode of atrial fibrillation - a common but dangerous abnormal heart rhythm - that quickly resolved once the ride was over. Though they initially thought the finding unusual, a second participant developed ventricular tachycardia during his ride, which is also a type of abnormal heart rhythm.

The researchers are quick to point out that enjoying roller coasters, though potentially dangerous for a small group of individuals, does not pose any risk to the majority of the population. In fact, all roller coasters that exceed certain speeds or g-forces are required to have clearly posted signs warning that those with heart or blood vessel problems should not ride.