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By: Dr. Timothy W. Hagemann
Whether you’re a professional athlete or playing at a much less competitive level – say in a recreational or weekend league, you may benefit from seeing a Sports Cardiologist. You don’t have to be out-of-shape, obese or old to have heart problems.
People of all ages and levels of fitness can develop heart disease or cardiac problems. In fact, as fit and active as they are, endurance athletes can develop atrial fibrillation (also called AFib). Fit or not, cardiac screenings may be appropriate for anyone who wants to become active.
Let’s take a closer look at what’s involved in a cardiac screening, as well as who should consider a cardiac screening.
Cardiac screenings are non-invasive, non-painful tests. They begin with your cardiologist reviewing your existing health; assessing any risk factors you may have (diabetes, hypertension, obesity, smoking, cholesterol etc.) before scheduling one or more physical tests. The most common screening tests are:
There’s a wide range of people who should consider a cardiac screening, including:
Your family doctor is trained to look out for your general health, and to refer you to a specialist when the need arises. If you’re thinking about starting a new sport, an exercise program, or are experiencing any change in your physical activity, ask your family doctor to refer you to a sports cardiologist—a doctor who understands the physiology of the heart and who specializes in cardiac screenings, cardiac health and heart issues in athletes.
Regular cardiac screenings can help catch, or even prevent heart problems before they become serious. They can unmask problems that haven’t surfaced yet and can tell you whether you’ll need further treatment.
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Published June 14, 2019