A Sports Cardiac Screening Evaluates Heart Health for Athletes

Hey there! When your kid wants to dive into sports, there's a whole lot of prep work to be done, and one crucial part is getting a cardiac screening. Most student athletes will have this annual check-up, especially in the U.S., according to Dr. Akash Patel, a pediatric cardiologist.

So, why's a cardiac screening important? Well, docs in the U.S. use this screening to identify potential risks hidden within your young athlete's heart before they tear up the field. This assessment can help doctors detect if there's a need for further examinations before the kid can play ball.

Now, a cardiac screening is distinct from a sports physical. While both exams aim to measure an athlete's health, a physical is more comprehensive and covers the entire bodily health, from head to toe. The cardiac screening, on the other hand, focuses primarily on the heart and heart conditions.

The cardiac screening consists of three main factors: personal history, family history, and a physical exam. In terms of personal history, the screening inquires about symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, fainting, high blood pressure, or prior abnormal cardiac exams or testing results.

Doctors also look at family history as it pertains to heart problems. For instance, they might ask about sudden cardiac deaths, inherited cardiac conditions, inherited cardiomyopathies, or connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome.

A physical exam during the cardiac screening involves checking for atypical signs like heart murmurs, high blood pressure, abnormal femoral pulses in the leg, characteristic features of a syndrome associated with cardiac disease, and so on.

Cardiac screenings can uncover numerous warning signs, and depending on the results, athletes may require further evaluation by a cardiologist. For example, doctors might be worried about conditions that can cause sudden cardiac arrest, such as cardiomyopathies. These conditions affect the heart muscle, causing it to become stiff, scarred, enlarged, or thicker.

The most common symptoms that doctors watch out for include chest pain or discomfort, passing out or feeling like you might pass out, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, feeling tired easily, or having shortness of breath. These symptoms occur more frequently during intense physical activity and should be evaluated if they persist, even after resting or rehydration.

So, which athletes should get a cardiac screening? Typically, middle and high school students are recommended to receive screenings. Screenings usually start around age 12, but youngsters under 12 may be evaluated if they exhibit symptoms. It's recommended that athletes get these screenings annually.

Essentially, any competitive athlete should consider getting a cardiac screening, even those playing seemingly less intense sports like tennis, as competitive training for these sports can still put significant stress on the heart.

Remember, though, if a child develops new symptoms that could indicate heart trouble, parents shouldn't wait for the annual checkup. They should consult their primary care provider immediately for appropriate follow-up care.

Sports can bring so many positive aspects to a young athlete's life, but it's crucial to ensure their heart health before they hit the field. A cardiac screening can bring peace of mind to both students and parents alike, allowing them to enjoy sports in a safer and more secure environment.

"As competition intensifies, so does the stress and mental health impact," explains Dr. Patel. "Regular evaluations should cover not just the athlete's heart health but their mental and physical health as well, so they can truly enjoy sports and stay safe."

To ensure a young athlete's heart is healthy before participating in sports, it's important to get a cardiac screening, a focus on the heart's conditions during annual examinations.
Cardiac screenings consist of three main factors: personal history, family history, and a physical exam, inquiring about heart-related symptoms and significant family history of heart problems.
Athletes may require further evaluation by a cardiologist based on the results of the cardiac screening, as it can uncover numerous warning signs related to heart conditions that might cause sudden cardiac arrest.
While most student athletes receive annual cardiac screenings in the U.S., any competitive athlete, even those playing seemingly less intense sports like tennis, are recommended to consider getting screened, emphasizing the importance of addressing heart health for all athletes.