Related Experiment Videos
Cardiovascular disease in athletes
Chandrasekhar R Vasamreddy1, Daniyal Ahmed, Ty J Gluckman
1Division of Cardiology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Blalock 524C-Cardiology, The Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Preventive Cardiology Center, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Clinics in Sports Medicine
|July 21, 2004
Summary
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes is perplexing. Intense physical activity can mimic cardiovascular disease (CVD), making preparticipation screening challenging.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sports Medicine
- Preventive Cardiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of death.
- Athletes, despite physical fitness, are susceptible to sudden cardiac death (SCD).
- Intense physical activity can induce cardiovascular changes mimicking CVD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the challenge of screening athletes for CVD risk.
- To discuss the athlete's heart, SCD, and associated conditions.
- To review preparticipation screening recommendations for athletes.
Main Methods:
- Review of the athlete's heart and SCD.
- Analysis of cardiovascular conditions associated with SCD in athletes.
- Examination of preparticipation screening protocols.
- Review of the 26th Bethesda Conference recommendations.
Main Results:
- Intense physical activity can lead to cardiovascular adaptations that complicate CVD screening.
- Screening athletes for SCD risk requires careful consideration of exercise-induced cardiac changes.
- The 26th Bethesda Conference provides guidelines for evaluating CV abnormalities in athletes.
Conclusions:
- Preparticipation screening for SCD in athletes is complex due to exercise-induced cardiac changes.
- Understanding the "athlete's heart" is crucial for differentiating normal adaptations from pathological conditions.
- Recommendations from bodies like the 26th Bethesda Conference aid in determining competition eligibility for athletes with CV conditions.