The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association have released groundbreaking guidelines for athletes with heart conditions. The guidelines emphasize shared decision-making between athletes and their doctors regarding participation in sports. This new approach challenges previous beliefs about the risks associated with sports for those with heart issues, offering a more optimistic outlook for athletes of all ages.
The guidelines address a variety of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation, and aortic dilation, which previously restricted athletes from sports participation. Notably, a special section targets "masters athletes," individuals aged 35 and older, acknowledging that the landscape of competitive sports has evolved to include this demographic. Although the guidelines do not grant unconditional approval for athletes with heart disease to engage in competitive sports, they highlight the importance of medical oversight to ensure safety.
“In many, if not most cases, restrictions are made with the best of intentions, and this document clearly emphasizes the role of the doctor, which is to provide medical facts, disclose areas of scientific uncertainty, and provide clinical opinions about the risks and benefits of sport.” – Baggish
The release represents a significant shift from previous medical recommendations. Co-authored by experts such as Aaron Baggish, MD, and Rachel Lampert, MD, the guidelines aim to facilitate informed decisions by educating athletes about the risks and benefits associated with their conditions. The guidelines are expected to impact tens of thousands of young athletes nationwide, particularly those in high school and collegiate sports.
“There are many children and youth who have undergone treatment for a heart condition, or who have a genetic risk for heart problems, that will [now] be encouraged to participate safely in competitive-level sports,” – Kantor
Experts involved in developing the guidelines include Jonathan H. Kim, MD. The document seeks to provide a nuanced understanding of sports participation risks for those with heart conditions. It highlights that while the risk is not zero, it is considerably lower than once thought.
“What all this data tells us is not that the risk of returning to play is zero, but that it is low,” – Rachel Lampert, MD
The guidelines underscore a collaborative approach to decision-making about sports eligibility for athletes with heart disease. This marks a departure from past practices where such decisions were often unilateral.
“In the past, there was no shared decision-making about sports eligibility for athletes with heart disease,” – Jonathan H. Kim, MD
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