Sports Cardiology

Participation in athletics at both the recreational and competitive levels has grown enormously over the last decade, and now involves a substantial segment of the population of many countries, particularly those in Europe and North America. This change in the life-style of many individuals has been accompanied by the desire and necessity on the part of physicians to define the consequences of chronic athletic training and competition to the participant. Coincident with the of public interest in sporting competition has been the evolution and growth development of new non-invasive technologies in cardiology (such as M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiography and radionuclide angiography) which have permitted investigators to study directly and more precisely the morphology and function of the heart and cardiovascular system. Hence, over the past several years our knowledge has been greatly enhanced with regard to the features of the normal 'athlete heart' and the relationship of athletic conditioning to preexistent cardiovascular disease, as well as the causes of sudden death in athletes. The present treatise on 'Sports cardiology: Exercise in Health and Cardio vascular Disease' is an impressive reference document which is also timely. It fulfills an important role in summarizing most of the available data that has been accumulated over the last 10 years in a large number of athletes participating in a variety of different sports. Drs. I. Bekaert and R.

Providing a critical update and review of salient topics needed for the proper cardiac evaluation and care of athletes, this text is designed to be the most up-to-date and practical manual for all health care providers who evaluate and treat athletes, including sports cardiologists, general cardiologists, sports medicine specialists, team doctors and athletic trainers. The book is divided into three key sections. The first section ​discusses essential topics pertaining to the pre-participation cardiac screening of athletes, providing a framework for how best to perform pre-participation cardiac evaluations and optimize the interpret​at​ion of cardiac screening test results, and ​a guide to ​assist the streamlining of appropriate downstream testing ​when required. The second section reviews the management and care of athletes with specific, existing cardiovascular disorders, providing the reader with fundamental principles to help recognize and advise levels of sport participation to athletes with these disorders. The final section deals with acute sideline management of the symptomatic athlete and will again provide practical algorithms for cardiologists and non-cardiologists alike who are responsible for athlete health and safety in the sports arenas and training facilities. Written and edited by highly regarded experts in the field of sports cardiology, including several cardiologists who are collegiate and professional team physicians and who work with professional sports organizations on developing policies for cardiac screening and monitoring, Sports Cardiology is an excellent practical resource for all clinicians working in the field.

Comparatively little is known about the risk of sudden death associated with exercise in young competitive athletes, and whether the benefits of sports activity outweigh the hazards of exercise-related fatal events is a clinical dilemma. This is only a small part of the story, however, as there are considerable effects of exercise whether it be at a competitive level or on a ‘leisure’ level on patients of all ages. This in itself is of massive importance to the cardiac patient population as exercise is a key component of effective recovery and recommended as central in the prevention of much cardiac disease.

Chapter 8 Cardiovascular Screening for the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death in AthletesIntroduction; The Risk of Sudden Death in Athletes; Rationale for Screening Competitive Athletes; The Screening Programmes Implemented in Italy; Rationale for Including a 12-Lead ECG in the PPE ; Efficacy of Screening to Identify Cardiac Disease Risk; Impact of the Screening Programme on Cardiac Mortality; Costs of Systematic Screening across Italy; Limitations of Screening Programmes; Conclusion; References

Sports and exercise have been intensely advocated as protective lifestyle measures which prevent or reduce the risk of severe health issues, including cardiovascular disease. More extreme forms of sports (for instance at high altitudes) have been identified as an important way of promoting cardiovascular adaptation, but have also been associated with adverse effects and even major cardiovascular events in predisposed individuals. Participating in more commonplace sports and exercise, such as football, may also increase a person's risk of cardiac events. This publication is timely in the light of a burgeoning number of clinical papers in the field. The ESC Textbook of Sports Cardiology provides an overview of the detection and treatment of cardiovascular disease in elite athletes and young sports professionals in training, as well as prevention. It will be useful for clinical cardiologists, sports physicians, and general physicians alike. Split into 11 key areas in sports cardiology, ranging from sudden cardiac death in athletes to the most common cardiovascular abnormalities seen in athletes, and to the effects of substance abuse and doping, the text is an invaluable resource covering all aspects of sports cardiology. Access to the digital version of the textbook is included with purchase of the printed version. Highly illustrated with embedded multimedia features, together with cross-referenced links to related content and primary research data in major journals in the field, the digital version provides users with a dynamic and forward-thinking resource. The ESC Textbook of Sports Cardiology is the second textbook from the European Association of Preventive Cardiology (EAPC) and aligns with ESC clinical practice guidelines and EAPC recommendations and position papers.

Cardiac problems in athletic individuals are rare, but when they occur can be devastating. This book provides a definitive review of current practice and thinking surrounding the often difficult and life-changing practice of sports cardiology. Topics which remain a challenge for practitioners, athletes and families are investigated, including cardiovascular screening, exercise participation prescription, and prevention strategies for sudden cardiac arrest. Also given are medical guidelines for diagnosis, management and treatment of specific cardiac illnesses. Based on their earlier work Exercise and Sports Cardiology (2001), editors Paul Thompson and Antonio Fernandez have provided an updated, improved 3-part reference work for cardiologists, physicians, coaches, trainers, medical students and researchers with a comprehensive go-to reference for modern day concerns in the expanding field of sports cardiology research and treatment.

This textbook provides a comprehensive, yet practically orientated overview of classic and novel sports cardiology topics, based on current evidence, guidelines, recommendations and expert experience. Numerous publications have provided guidance to these issues, but it has become increasingly difficult for both students and doctors to obtain a thorough, but practicable overview for optimal clinical care of athletes and patients. This book is intended as an educational work, filling the large gaps that are still present in the current educational guidelines for medical students and cardiology trainees. Textbook of Sports and Exercise Cardiology differs from other sports cardiology books by focusing on clear, practical recommendations based on the latest evidence, primarily targeting those who seek professional background information and education that can easily be transferred into everyday care.

This book presents an invaluable symptoms-based approach to sports cardiology for sports medicine physicians, primary care physicians, and cardiologists. Edited by an authority in the field, the text offers sought-after insight on the cardiac health of athletes. Case studies are featured throughout to further understanding and the integration of concepts into daily practice. With contributions by both sports medicine physicians and cardiologists, this timely book bridges the gap between disciplines and is an unparalleled resource for those looking to effectively manage the cardiac health of active patients.