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[Athlete's heart: frontier between physiology and pathology]
F Rigamonti1, S Monnard, J-L Ziltener
1Service de cardiologie, HUG, 1211 Genève 14. fabio.rigamonti@hcuge.ch
Revue Medicale Suisse
|August 24, 2012
Summary
Athlete hearts show physiological adaptations, but some remodeling may signal pathological changes like arrhythmias. Differentiating athlete
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Sports Medicine
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
Context:
- Athletes exhibit significant cardiac adaptations influenced by training, genetics, and ethnicity.
- These adaptations are typically physiological and reversible.
- Emerging evidence suggests potential pathological remodeling in athletes, particularly in the atria and right ventricle.
Purpose:
- To explore the spectrum of cardiac adaptations in athletes.
- To differentiate physiological athlete's heart from pathological conditions.
- To highlight the role of electrocardiogram interpretation in preventing sudden cardiac death.
Summary:
- Athlete's heart involves structural and electrical changes due to training, usually benign.
- Atrial and right ventricular remodeling in athletes may indicate underlying pathology and risk for arrhythmias.
- Distinguishing athlete's heart from cardiomyopathies is crucial for managing sudden cardiac death risk.
Impact:
- Improved diagnostic criteria for athlete's heart.
- Enhanced strategies for preventing sudden cardiac death in athletes.
- Updated electrocardiogram interpretation guidelines for athletes.
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