If a person takes an E.C.G. and the result shows that he is having a heart problem, how can he ascertain that he is actually having such a problem? Can’t there be a defect in the apparatus, or due to various reasons, the patient’s heart had shown an abnormal result which may be transient, and the heart may recover in a few hours or even minutes.
Researchers have already found that athletes doing intensive training, especially, those taking part in endurance events like long distance cycling and marathon running race may have and abnormal E.C.G. result. The size of their hearts may also be unusually large. But, it is not necessary that they take medicines. The abnormality may be due to the strenuous exercises that they are doing. They may be otherwise normal and may be leading a normal life. The researches have concluded that if such abnormal E.C.G. is interpreted as normal for athletes, it may be difficult to pick out those who really do have a heart problem. It means that the results of the present day E.C.G. CAN NOT BE relied upon and there may be abnormal variations. The abnormalities in the E.C.G. may be normal in the case many of the patients, which means that the heart problems that is being diagnosed and treated now, may not be heart problems at all, but only a case of flatulence and a hot herbal tea may be the best answer.
For explaining this we have the living example of a Czechoslovakian sportsman, who had won the Helsinki Olympics 5000 meters Marathon race on 24th July, 1942. Several months before the Helsinki games, Emil zatopeck was sneaked into a seminar on cardiology being conducted by a famous Czech path physiologist, Professor Rodolf vavra. After a thorough investigation, the doctor declared that Emil had a serious heart problem and that he should not run. But as usual, Emil pooh-poohed the opinion of the doctor and believed that his willpower would overcome any problem. He ran 50 Kilo meters a day in heavy military boots. He realized that he has to place uncompromising demands on himself, and was determined to tap his hidden strength. Thus he won the gold in spite of the doctor’s advice.
What if he had accepted the Doctor’s advice and hung up his spikes. He would have taken medicines for the heart problem that was actually not there, and passed into oblivion. But because of his deftness, determination and willpower he had won the Olympics.