Athletes push their bodies, often beyond their limits, to achieve peak performance. Despite proper nutrition and exercise, the key organ in their body — the heart — might miss out on the attention it deserves.
Luckily, with the help of diagnostic tests like an ECG, athletes can keep tabs on their heart health and excel in what they do best.
In this article, we’ll dig into the benefits of using an ECG for athletes and how it contributes to maintaining optimal cardiac health.
Common Heart Risks in Athletes
Most athletes experience symptoms related to heart diseases that go unnoticed. Here are some common heart risks in athletes that can be diagnosed with an ECG.
1. Susceptibility to High Blood Pressure
Intense exercise over a long period minimizes the risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it does not eradicate it.
Some aspects of cardiovascular illness, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and excessive cholesterol, are inherited; both can have an impact on even the most fit athlete.
Regular checkups, bloodwork, and a thorough cardiovascular history can help uncover any problems that require further study.
2. Effects of Age
Athletes, regardless of cardiac strength, are inherently more prone to acquiring cardiovascular disease as they age.
Fitness and an active lifestyle can help to mitigate this, but not completely.
Aside from seeing a doctor for yearly exams, frequent screenings, and bloodwork, older athletes must get medical assistance right away if they notice any of the following warning signs:
- An unexpected drop in performance, such as a cyclist falling short of regular timings or a runner struggling to keep up with other team members.
- Feeling more fatigued than normal.
- Abnormal shortness of breath during or after exercise.
- A burning feeling in the chest or upper abdomen, particularly in athletes who’ve no history of gastrointestinal issues or heartburn.
3. Difficulty in Screening Asymptomatic Heart Diseases
Athlete cardiac arrest or death is an uncommon yet devastating incident.
These fatalities have caused consternation because being an athlete is supposed to be connected with good health and immunity to cardiovascular disease.
While regular exercise has been found to improve cardiovascular health and longevity, it does not give total immunity.
Also Read :
ECG and Athletes: Why the Two Are A Great Match
For athletes, ECGs serve as a preventive measure to identify underlying heart conditions that may go unnoticed.
An ECG test can help diagnose issues such as arrhythmias, heart muscle abnormalities, and other cardiac conditions.
1. Early Detection of Heart Abnormalities
Certain cardiac conditions, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or heart rhythm disorders, may not exhibit noticeable symptoms in their early stages.
Regular ECG for heart health can detect these abnormalities, allowing athletes to take necessary precautions and receive appropriate medical care to prevent potential complications.
2. Personalized Training and Performance Enhancement
ECGs provide valuable information about an athlete’s heart function during exercise.
By analyzing the ECG data, healthcare professionals can tailor training programs to suit an individual athlete’s specific needs, which helps optimize performance while minimizing the risk of cardiovascular incidents during intense physical exertion.
3. Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Events
ECGs play a vital role in identifying athletes who may be at a higher risk of such events.
By detecting abnormalities in the heart’s electrical signals, athletes can receive appropriate medical guidance and interventions to minimize the risk of sudden cardiac events.
Also Read : ECG vs EKG: What’s the Difference?
Ayu Health: Best ECG for Athletes in Bangalore
Bangalore, a bustling hub of sports and athletic activities, offers a wide range of opportunities for athletes to excel in their chosen fields.
However, the demanding nature of sports can put a significant strain on an athlete’s cardiovascular system.
At Ayu Health, we’re here to help you achieve your dreams without stumbling. With advanced ECG equipment staffed by experienced healthcare professionals, we take care of your heart health.
Book a health checkup at +91 6366-100-800 or visit our website for more information.
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References:
https://ayu.health/blog/three-main-types-of-ecg/
https://ayu.health/blog/the-difference-between-ecg-vs-ekg/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25631543/
https://www.everydayhealth.com/high-cholesterol/athletic-fit-with-high-cholesterol-personal-story/
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy-beyond-the-basics
About the Author
Dr. Magesh Balakrishnan
Dr. Magesh Balakrishnan is a renowned cardiologist currently practicing at Ayu Health, Bangalore.
He has 16 years of experience in this field. He has excellent skills in performing all cardiac diagnostic procedures/ tests. He has performed emergency and elective angiographies and angioplasties, device implantation (Pacemaker, AICD & CRT)