Sports Cardiology for Athletes
Keeping your heart healthy so you can stay in the game
The IU Health Center for Cardiovascular Care in Athletics provides complete sports cardiology care for athletes at all levels. This includes high school, college, professional, amateur, masters, recreational and occupational athletes.
As one of the only sports cardiology programs in the country, we can enhance your athletic performance or physical fitness, prevent acute or chronic disease, and extend your athletic career.
IU Health cardiologists will work with you to create individualized heart and vascular assessments and a treatment plan. Our treatment plans are designed to reduce and/or treat any possible cardiovascular disorders that could compromise your athletic performance and safety. Our goal is to keep you healthy and active in your sport.
In the IU Health Sports Cardiology Performance Lab, cardiopulmonary exercise testing is part of the safety evaluation and clinical evaluation for all athletes. You will be closely monitored while undergoing activities that mimic athletic competition or training, such as running, biking and sprinting. Your customized treatment plan will be based on your specific activity or sport and your heart health.
Services and treatments include:
- Assessment of any unexplained deterioration in performance
- Cardiovascular and physiological testing, including history and physical exam, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram and cardiopulmonary exercise testing
- Clearance to return to sports participation after a cardiovascular event, non-cardiac illness or surgery
- Comprehensive cardiovascular screening
- Evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors, along with advice for risk-factor mitigation
- Evaluation of potential cardiovascular symptoms
- Evaluation of family members of athletes with inherited cardiovascular abnormalities, including genetic testing and counseling
Services
IU Health cardiologists will work with you to create individualized heart and vascular assessments and a treatment plan. Our treatment plans are designed to reduce and/or treat any possible cardiovascular disorders that could compromise your athletic performance and safety. Our goal is to keep you healthy and active in your sport.
In the IU Health Sports Cardiology Performance Lab, cardiopulmonary exercise testing is part of the safety evaluation and clinical evaluation for all athletes. You will be closely monitored while undergoing activities that mimic athletic competition or training, such as running, biking and sprinting. Your customized treatment plan will be based on your specific activity or sport and your heart health.
Services and treatments include:
- Assessment of any unexplained deterioration in performance
- Cardiovascular and physiological testing, including history and physical exam, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram and cardiopulmonary exercise testing
- Clearance to return to sports participation after a cardiovascular event, non-cardiac illness or surgery
- Comprehensive cardiovascular screening
- Evaluation of cardiovascular risk factors, along with advice for risk-factor mitigation
- Evaluation of potential cardiovascular symptoms
- Evaluation of family members of athletes with inherited cardiovascular abnormalities, including genetic testing and counseling
IU Health offers sports cardiology services to athletes of all levels, those in highly active careers, and anyone concerned about their cardiovascular health. Individuals who experience the following should consider sports cardiology services:
Athletes at risk for adverse cardio events or with existing issues
If you have undergone a pre-participation screening by a primary care doctor, pediatrician, or other healthcare professional, and some concern has raised a “red flag,” you may need additional cardiovascular screening. Concerns may include something in your family history, a heart or vascular symptom, a physical exam finding, or a result from an electrocardiogram. This screening can help determine if there is anything of real concern that would put you at risk for an adverse cardiovascular event when active or playing sports.
Those experiencing concerning symptoms when active
If you have passed a previous pre-participation screening, have been participating in a sport and are now experiencing chest discomfort, excessive shortness of breath, fainting or heart palpitations, you may need additional testing. Testing can help determine if the symptoms are related to your cardiovascular system and, if so, how you can safely return to your activity.
Anyone age 50+ concerned about their heart health
If you are middle-aged and still exercise a lot, you may be concerned about your risk for cardiac disease. A comprehensive assessment goes beyond the standard cardiology assessment for the average 50-year-old person and addresses the risks that pertain to you as a middle-aged athlete. In addition, the Center serves as a resource for discussions on safety and risk.
Athletes with heart disease or a prior cardiac event
If you have been diagnosed with heart disease or experienced a prior cardiac event, you may still be able to safely participate in your sport. Your comprehensive safety evaluation includes data you can use to better understand and improve your athletic performance when it is safe for you to return to your previous level of activity.
Occupations that require high levels of physical activity
Police, firefighters, and many other occupations require high demands on the cardiovascular system, similar to competitive athletes. If you are in such a profession, you may need additional specialized evaluation. What we have learned from competitive athletes can apply to you.
Who Benefits from Sports Cardiology?
IU Health offers sports cardiology services to athletes of all levels, those in highly active careers, and anyone concerned about their cardiovascular health. Individuals who experience the following should consider sports cardiology services:
Athletes at risk for adverse cardio events or with existing issues
If you have undergone a pre-participation screening by a primary care doctor, pediatrician, or other healthcare professional, and some concern has raised a “red flag,” you may need additional cardiovascular screening. Concerns may include something in your family history, a heart or vascular symptom, a physical exam finding, or a result from an electrocardiogram. This screening can help determine if there is anything of real concern that would put you at risk for an adverse cardiovascular event when active or playing sports.
Those experiencing concerning symptoms when active
If you have passed a previous pre-participation screening, have been participating in a sport and are now experiencing chest discomfort, excessive shortness of breath, fainting or heart palpitations, you may need additional testing. Testing can help determine if the symptoms are related to your cardiovascular system and, if so, how you can safely return to your activity.
Anyone age 50+ concerned about their heart health
If you are middle-aged and still exercise a lot, you may be concerned about your risk for cardiac disease. A comprehensive assessment goes beyond the standard cardiology assessment for the average 50-year-old person and addresses the risks that pertain to you as a middle-aged athlete. In addition, the Center serves as a resource for discussions on safety and risk.
Athletes with heart disease or a prior cardiac event
If you have been diagnosed with heart disease or experienced a prior cardiac event, you may still be able to safely participate in your sport. Your comprehensive safety evaluation includes data you can use to better understand and improve your athletic performance when it is safe for you to return to your previous level of activity.
Occupations that require high levels of physical activity
Police, firefighters, and many other occupations require high demands on the cardiovascular system, similar to competitive athletes. If you are in such a profession, you may need additional specialized evaluation. What we have learned from competitive athletes can apply to you.
Preparing for your Cardiac Screening
No special preparations are needed for most types of echocardiogram or electrocardiogram.
If you will be having cardiopulmonary exercise testing, plan to wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you would normally wear to exercise.
You may also need to avoid drinking caffeine or taking certain prescription medicines before your test. Your doctor will give you details before the day of your test. If you have asthma, be sure to bring your inhaler to the test.
After Your Evaluation
After your cardiac screening, your doctor will let you know if it’s okay to return to your normal activities and sports. If your testing involved radioactive dye, be sure to drink plenty of fluids afterward to flush it out of your system.
What to Expect
Preparing for your Cardiac Screening
No special preparations are needed for most types of echocardiogram or electrocardiogram.
If you will be having cardiopulmonary exercise testing, plan to wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you would normally wear to exercise.
You may also need to avoid drinking caffeine or taking certain prescription medicines before your test. Your doctor will give you details before the day of your test. If you have asthma, be sure to bring your inhaler to the test.
After Your Evaluation
After your cardiac screening, your doctor will let you know if it’s okay to return to your normal activities and sports. If your testing involved radioactive dye, be sure to drink plenty of fluids afterward to flush it out of your system.
If you are an athlete and plan to have cardiovascular screening specific to athletes, you may have the following questions:
- Can I go back to normal activities after my cardiovascular screening?
- What did my test results show? Is my heart healthy enough for sports?
- As an athlete, what other screening tests should I have?
- How often should I return for cardiovascular screening?
Questions to Ask
If you are an athlete and plan to have cardiovascular screening specific to athletes, you may have the following questions:
- Can I go back to normal activities after my cardiovascular screening?
- What did my test results show? Is my heart healthy enough for sports?
- As an athlete, what other screening tests should I have?
- How often should I return for cardiovascular screening?
For more information about Cardiovascular Care in Athletics at IU Health, call 317.962.9455 or email sportscardiology@iuhealth.org.
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