Preventive Cardiac Screening, Including Medical Examination, Resting ECG and Assessment of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: Athlete Pre-Participation Cardiac Screening.

Preventive cardiac screening is recommended for all competitive sportspersons and those involved in regular training/intense activity to reduce the (extremely small) risk of sudden cardiac death during exercise. For certain international events this screening is mandatory.

The International Olympic Committee, the European Society of Cardiology, and the European Association of Preventive Cardiology recommend that a preventive cardiac screening is performed periodically (e.g. every 1-2 years) for all “athletes” (persons involved in competitive sport or simply training regularly at higher intensities). This screening must include medical history (personal and family), a medical examination and a resting ECG assessment for athletes up to the age of 35yrs. For over 35s the addition of an assessment of cardiovascular disease risk factors, and in some cases a maximal exercise test, are also recommended. This assessment is mandatory for entering some international events, but it is strongly recommended for any athlete, even if it is not mandated by your sport. We offer a streamlined service to provide the required assessment, sign-off and documentation.

he service we offer was designed based on current recommendations of the European Society or Cardiology and the European Association of Preventive Cardiology.

For persons up to the age of 35yrs the screening involves:

Personal and Family Medical History Questionnaire (to be completed online prior to your assessment)
Physical Examination by a medical doctor; including heart sounds, peripheral pulses, heart rate and blood pressure
The assessment of a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) based on current recommendations for the assessment of athletes’ ECGs
There is a form that needs to be completed and submitted online prior to your appointment – this will take around 15 minutes. The appointment with the doctor and physiologist is approximately 30 minutes long.

For persons over 35yrs screening involves all the above plus:

Assessment of cardiovascular disease risk using appropriate risk calculators as recommended by the European Society of Cardiology. (This will add 15 minutes to your appointment).
In some cases a maximal exercise test with ECG and gas analysis (known as Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test – CPET) may be recommended. (This will add 40 minutes to your appointment).

At the end of the assessment, you will be able to take a copy of your ECG away with you. If no pre-existing cardiovascular problems are identified on the day, then you will be provided with a signed letter by the Doctor confirming your eligibility to compete. If any problems are identified on the day, you will be advised about how to obtain additional assessment.