University of Hasselt

In GEN@HEART, Dr Guido Claessen is studying how genes impact heart size, exercise capacity, and cardiac fitness. We're comparing highly trained athletes with those along the heart failure continuum. Despite similar exercise, some excel, others face heart issues. We suspect genes play a role. We aim to understand if specific genes related to heart size affect fitness. Studying 281 athletes and 312 heart failure patients, we'll explore this question and if certain genes could lead to better exercise responses.