Thorough Cardiac Evaluations

Assessing the Athlete's Cardiovascular System

Count on Expert Medical Care for thorough cardiac evaluations and assessments. We’re well-aware that athletes have specific cardiac demands and their intense physical training can create physiological adaptions.

With that in mind, we start by gauging each athlete’s cardiovascular system with a detailed medical history and physical examination. Any existing congenital cardiac abnormalities are diagnosed and recommendations for sports participation are made for the athlete.

Common Cardiac Abnormalities for Athletes Under Age 35

Cardiac events that are predisposed to sudden death include:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (40%)
Coronary anomalies (20%)
Idiopathic left ventricular hypertrophy (10%)
Myocarditis (5%)
Marfan syndrome (2%)
Congenital valvular disorders
Anomalous coronary arteries
Right ventricular dysplasia
Electrical conduction disorders such as prolonged QT syndrome

A Comprehensive Medical Workup

Athletes with risk factors in their medical history or with abnormalities discovered during the physical examination require a comprehensive workup prior to being cleared for full competition.

This includes:

Listening to the heart with Valsalva maneuver
Standing from a squatting position
An ECG
Two-dimensional echocardiography
Chest X-rays
Stress testing and MRI imaging of the heart

Our Center's Assessment Services

Resting EKG
Sub-maximal stress testing according to American College of Sports Medicine guidelines
Echocardiography
Cardiovascular laboratory testing
Chest X-ray
American College of Sports Medicine risk stratification for cardiovascular disease