BBC Interviews Our Director: How Often Do Pro Athletes Need Heart Scans?

The question of how often sports professionals need heart screening has become a hot topic in the world of rugby as French prop, Uini Atonio—recently hospitalised after suffering a cardiac event—is forced to retire from the sport. Professor Dan Augustine was interviewed by the BBC to share expertise in sports cardiology.

Are Professional Sports Men & Women More Likely To Have Heart Problems?

Elite athletes generally have a lower overall risk of heart disease compared to the general population due to better cardiovascular fitness and fewer risk factors like obesity or hypertension. However, they can still face specific issues such as coronary atherosclerosis or genetic conditions like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), which may lead to rare but serious events like sudden cardiac arrest, particularly in older athletes over 40 or during intense activity. Conditions such as right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), tend to progress faster with increased physical activity.

The cases discussed in the media involving former rugby union players experiencing heart problems highlights that athletic training can unmask latent heart conditions—ranging from mild to severe—rather than directly triggering them. This is because intensified exercise imposes aerobic demands that prompt structural and electrical changes in the heart's pumping mechanism, with greater fitness driving more pronounced adaptations.

Screening reveals that roughly 2-3% of top-tier athletes harbour an unsuspected cardiac abnormality, and athletes persisting at elite intensities may accelerate the emergence of these dormant problems. The typical club squad has 25 professionals, and with academies often numbering 50-100 youth, this average percentage for prevalence of hidden heart issues means screening two clubs will likely uncover 2-3 affected players.

How Regularly Should A Professional Athlete Book A Heart Scan?

Athletes should undergo heart screening regularly to distinguish benign "athlete's heart" adaptations (like mild wall thickening) from true concerns such as HCM, which can sometimes be misinterpreted on initial exams as mild forms of cardiac disease. For further reading on this subject, see the manuscript overviewing studies on heart wall thickness in athletes.

Screening Frequency

All adults and children over 12 years old who participate in competitive sports should undergo sports cardiology screening every two years, as recommended by the European Society of Cardiology. Competitive sport is defined as any sport that includes regular training or competition. 

When do symptoms or family history change screening intervals? If an individual is experiencing red flags like fainting, palpitations, or has genetic risks, then prompt immediate advanced screening (e.g., stress tests, MRI), would override standard timelines. There are many nuances to who needs heart screening in sport, so contact a sports cardiologist if you’re unsure.

Screening Protocols and Tests

Sports Cardiology UK provides comprehensive cardiac screening for athletes following national standards. We follow protocols endorsed by the European Society of Cardiology's Sports Cardiology section for competitive athletes, including the Football Association's screening guidelines. All tests are supervised by a qualified consultant cardiologist with sports medicine expertise, with results provided on the spot.

Pro’s Must Prioritise Early Detection

For professional athletes, early detection through regular heart screening is crucial to identify hidden risks like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or coronary atherosclerosis before they lead to sudden cardiac events. While training-induced changes such as an athlete's heart can mimic serious pathology, regular scans enable consultants to differentiate benign adaptations from life-threatening conditions, ensuring pros stay on the field safely. Sports Cardiology UK delivers these expert evaluations with immediate results, prioritising athlete health without unnecessary downtime.

Book Your Heart Screening

If you're involved in sports at any level and haven't had a heart screening recently, or it's been over two years, book with our sports cardiology consultants for peace of mind and optimal performance.