 Healthy Athletes
Children and young adults
The European Society of Cardiology recommend that all children over 12yrs old and all adults
undertaking competitive sport should undergo sports cardiology
screening every 2 years. Competitive sport is defined as any sport
that involves competition or regular training.
Please click for link to
ESC exercise recommendations paper
Veteran and Masters Athletes
Increasing numbers of athletes are able to continue their athletic
activities into middle and even old age. A Masters or Veteran
athlete has a different risk profile to the younger athlete. The
main risk is coronary artery disease. This is a condition where
the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle are gradually
blocked causing chest pain on exercise or even a heart attack.
(See picture) Coronary artery disease is the most common cause of
death in the developed world. Although regular exercise can reduce
the risk of coronary artery disease, there are many other
important risk factors including a history of cigarette smoking
and a family history of heart attacks.
The American Heart Association recommend that all Masters
athletes who undertake vigorous exercise should be assessed for
risk factors for coronary artery disease ( for example; high blood
pressure, diabetes, elevated cholesterol or a history of a heart
attack in close relatives under 60 years old). They define a
Masters athlete as men over 40 years old and women over 50 years
old or after the menopause.
(Please click link for
AHA recommendation).
Sports Cardiology UK can provide a risk assessment
service for veteran /masters Athletes. This can include a full
risk factor assessment and any screening tests including
echocardiography and stress electrocardiography.
 Professional and Elite athletes
Sports Cardiology UK also provide a screening and assessment
service for established club, professional and elite athletes.
There is some evidence to suggest that certain cardiac arrhythmias
are more common in athletes (for example, atrial fibrillation).
Similarly, the process of regular training can occasionally bring
out or accentuate a minor underlying cardiac anomaly.
“Would-be” Athletes
This service is available for adults taking
up exercise for the first time or after a long break in training.
The service is designed to exclude major underlying heart problems
that may make participation in strenuous exercise hazardous. In older “would-be” athletes (>40yrs), a blood sample will be
sent for triglyceride and cholesterol analysis. In combination
with physical examination, family history assessment and clinical assessment, this will allow
the estimation of approximate future risk of coronary artery
disease.
Group Screening
Amateur Sports Clubs and Schools
Most of the Sports Cardiology UK screening and assessment
tests can by carried out locally at your Sports Club. Similarly,
whole club screening can be arranged. A similar service can be
arranged for schools and college teams. Schools screening will be
carried out by specialists with experience and accreditation in
paediatric cardiology.
Professional Sports Clubs
Sports Cardiology UK can carry out full sports cardiology
screening in accordance with national guidelines. We use protocols
for competitive athletes as recommended by the European Society of
Cardiology Sports Cardiology Committee. Our screening incorporates
the Football Association cardiology screening policy ( 2007
modifications). All investigations are carried out under the
direction of a fully trained Consultant Cardiologist with
additional experience in Sports Medicine. Immediate results are
available.
|
