Sports Cardiology

What is sports cardiology?

Sports cardiology is the set of tests that are performed to determine the diseases of the heart muscle that may pose a danger to the patient when practicing any sport. By means of a series of exercises, this analysis makes it possible to recognize the tolerance and adaptation of the heart after an intense physical demand.

What does it consist of?

Each patient may require specific tests more urgently, depending on his or her needs, medical history and the sport he or she practices. The main sports cardiology tests are

  • Electrocardiogram: this is the basic test to monitor heart rate. The heart rate is recorded by means of electrodes and arrhythmias can be detected.
  • Echocardiogram: this imaging test allows the heart’s activity to be observed by ultrasound, so that abnormalities that would not have been detected on the electrocardiogram can be observed. This test is especially useful for detecting possible causes of sudden death.
  • Holter blood pressure: the Holter measures the patient’s cardiac values for several hours (up to 24 hours) while he/she carries out his/her usual daily activity and observes with which activities or at what times of the day the pressure destabilizes.
  • Stress test (ergospirometry): after obtaining the blood pressure data from the echocardiogram and Holter with the patient at rest, these values are compared with those obtained when the patient is moving or doing physical activity. For this, the patient runs on a treadmill or pedals a stationary bicycle, while being monitored to measure the state of his or her vascular, respiratory and energy expenditure systems.

The stress test assesses the active state of the vascular, respiratory and metabolic systems.

Why is it performed?

This series of tests is aimed at professional athletes, amateurs and people who are starting a new sporting activity. Sport puts our body and heart to the limit, and it is essential to know up to what point it can be reached without damaging its state of health.

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The aim of these tests is to avoid serious cardiac problems such as heart attacks, Brugada Syndrome or sudden death, as well as to control cases of patients who have undergone heart surgery, arrhythmias, heart failure or congenital heart disease.

Thus, the aim of the discipline is to provide athletes with the necessary advice and tests to avoid health risks in sports practice, as well as to ensure that people with diseases such as heart disease can continue to play sports.

Preparation for sports cardiology

An annual sports cardiology check-up is recommended for all athletes, especially those with heart problems. Patients who have cardiac pathologies and are going to start a new sporting activity should also go for a check-up, in order to know beforehand if it could harm their health. Of course, those who present symptoms such as arrhythmias, chest pain, dizziness or shortness of breath during sports practice should undergo these tests to find the cause.

These tests are minimally invasive and require no special preparation by the patient. The cardiology specialist can advise you on what to wear or what food and drink to take before the tests, as stimulant drinks such as coffee or tea are usually discouraged so as not to alter the results.

How do you feel during the test?

Sports cardiology tests are minimally invasive processes, which are not painful for the patient. The only particularity is that during the stress test the patient will be pushed to the limit of his or her endurance, so he or she will feel tired or may even feel dizzy and short of breath.

Meaning of abnormal results

Abnormal results in sports cardiology tests may mean that the patient has some cardiac pathology (such as arrhythmias or heart failure) and may mean that he/she can no longer practice certain sports or at least not at a high intensity.

It will be the cardiologist specialist who will evaluate the results and may even repeat an examination or prescribe new tests to confirm the diagnosis.