Turkish Society of Cardiology consensus paper on the Recommendations for athletes with high risk genetic cardiovascular diseases or implanted cardiac devices

Regular exercise has many favorable effects on the cardiovascular system. However, intense physical activity, especially in a competitive fashion, may become hazardous to genetically vulnerable individuals. A competitive athlete is one who participates in an organized team or individual sport that requires regular competition against others as a central component, places a high premium on excellence and achievement, and requires some form of systematic (and usually intense) training. Soccer, basketball, running, cycling, and swimming are some examples of competitive sports with high dynamic activity, whereas gymnastics, weight lifting, and sailing are examples of competitive sports with high static activity. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in sports and exercise is defined as cardiac arrest occurring during or within 1 hour of exercise or sports-related activity, and genetically transmitted cardiovascular diseases are among the most common pathologies leading to SCD in competitive athletes (1). Sudden death of a competitive athlete has a mass and undesirable effect on the community. Properly diagnosing inherited cardiovascular pathologies, making appropriate recommendations on physical activity in athletic population, and providing close supervision to diseased athletes are the main duties of cardiovascular specialists. The aim of our document is to summarize the various aspects of the most common genetic cardiovascular diseases in athletes and to make recommendations for diseased athletes and athletes with implanted cardiac pacemakers/Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) based on the current literature. Our general recommendations are summarized in Figure 1 and discussed below in detail. Open in a separate window Figure 1 Athletic activity recommendations for athletes with genetic cardiovascular pathologies and commotio cordis For Athletic activity boxes; Red box: Athletic activity prohibited. Yellow box: Athletic activity allowed selectively according to the level of activity and athlete’s condition. Green box: All athletic activities allowed. ARVC - arrythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, CAAs - coronary artery anomalies, DCM - dilated cardiomyopathy, HCM - hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, LVNC - left ventricular non compaction, WPW - Wolf Parkinson White syndrome