cardiovascular disorders
Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletes
Key Points
Sudden cardiac death during exercise is rare and may be due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, but many patients have a structurally normal heart at autopsy (younger athletes) or coronary artery disease (older athletes). Screen younger participants (children through young adults) with history and physical examination; those with abnormal findings or positive family history should have ECG and/or echocardiography. Screen older participants with risk factors (particularly if they have been sedentary for a number of years) with history, physical examination, and usually an exercise stress test. Recommend against participation in athletes with severe valvular disease and most structural or arrhythmogenic heart disorders (eg, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). 