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Heart arrhythmia |
Screening Tests
All clients undergo a clinical cardiovascular examination by an
experienced cardiologist. This involves checking the blood
pressure, listening to heart with a stethoscope and examining the
pulse and heart size. In addition, two main screening tests are
used. The Pre-participation questionnaire is designed to assess
the presence of a familial exercise-associated heart problem. It
will also pick up any history of medical problems or symptoms
which might point to underlying heart disease. The
Electrocardiograph (ECG) is a simple test which assesses heart
rhythm, the size of heart chambers and can often diagnose an
underlying heart muscle or heart rhythm abnormality. In
competitive athletes, we recommend that an Echocardiogram is
carried out. This is a detailed assessment of the structure and
function of the heart using ultrasound. This allows the precise
measurement of heart chamber size, assessment of heart valves and
adjacent blood vessels. The echocardiogram is an integral part of
the Football Association examination for junior professional
footballers. In older “masters” or veteran athletes (>40yrs),
an exercise stress test may be recommended. This involves running
on a treadmill while attached to an ECG machine. This test is
designed to help assess the underlying risk of coronary artery
disease. (See screening page).
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Alan |
Athletes with
symptoms
A formal sports cardiology assessment is recommended for all
athletes suffering from breathlessness, palpitations, chest pain
or dizziness/fainting during exercise. In many cases these
symptoms will not be due to underlying heart disease.
Athletes with heart
disease
Regular, carefully prescribed exercise has been shown to have
many benefits in patients with heart disease including
cardiomyopathy and heart failure. This can improve general
physical fitness as well as improving self esteem. For obvious
reasons, the approach to regular exercise has to be modified in
this group and exercise prescribed in collaboration with the
patient's medical team. Sports cardiology UK provide an exercise
prescription service for this patient group provided approval has
been given by the patient's cardiologist.
| Alan achieved his best half marathon time for years after the
unexpected diagnosis of coronary artery disease was made and
appropriate treatment given. Early diagnosis also enabled him to
modify his coronary risk factors and reduce the chance of a heart
attack in the future. |
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