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Cardiology

Pre-participation Cardiac Screening for Sport

Assessing heart health with examination, ECG and appropriate tests before starting regular or intensive sport.

What is it?

Pre-participation cardiac screening aims to identify heart conditions that could cause problems during exercise. It is recommended particularly for those planning intensive training, entering competitions or returning to sport after a long break.

Personal and family history are reviewed in detail, including whether chest pain, fainting or palpitations have occurred during exercise. In addition to a physical examination and ECG, echocardiography and an exercise test are planned if needed.

Depending on the findings, continuing sport, adjusting exercise intensity or further investigation may be advised. Athletes' hearts can show normal exercise-related changes, so findings are interpreted with this in mind; recommendations are tailored to the individual after the examination.

Who is it assessed for?

  • Those preparing for endurance events such as marathons or triathlons
  • Young licensed athletes
  • Those wishing to start intensive exercise after a long break
  • Those who have had palpitations, chest pain or fainting during exercise
  • Those with a family history of unexplained sudden death at a young age

Step by step

  1. 1

    History

    Sporting background, goals and family history are reviewed.

  2. 2

    Examination and ECG

    A physical examination and ECG are performed.

  3. 3

    Additional tests

    Echocardiography, an exercise test or rhythm recording are planned if needed.

  4. 4

    Recommendations

    Advice on your exercise plan is shared based on the findings.

Questions

Do I need screening if I have no symptoms?

Screening may be recommended before intensive sport even without symptoms, and it is particularly relevant for those with a family history.

What is an athlete's heart?

It refers to adaptive changes in the heart caused by regular, intensive exercise. Findings are assessed together to distinguish them from disease.

What should I do if I get chest pain during exercise?

Stop exercising immediately. If the pain does not settle with rest, or comes with fainting or breathlessness, call 112.

This page is for general information and does not replace a medical examination. Results and the suitable approach vary from person to person.