A matter of the heart Treadmill running is a matter close to my own heart, quite literally. An avid runner since my childhood, the first time I ever set foot on a treadmill was after being diagnosed with my cardiac condition (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) back in 2005. Cardiologists told me then that my running days were over, as running would heighten my risk of cardiac arrest and dying suddenly. I was faced with a dilemma to run or not to run? The thought of not running was unimaginable....