Abstract

ASENSIO, Enrique et al. Athlete's cardiomyopathy. Rev. Mex. Cardiol [online]. 2014, vol.25, n.2, pp.109-117. ISSN 0188-2198.

High performance sports practice is more common every day. In the present work we evaluate several concepts regarding sudden death among athletes and the recently described "Athlete's cardiomyopathy". The prevalence of sudden death among athletes is higher than among the general population (1.5:100,000 versus 0.2:100,000 respectively). This difference can be related to myocardial changes derived from endurance exercise. There are consistent descriptions of anatomical and functional changes, more specific to the right ventricle that simulate an arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy. This can originate the hypothesis that such a cardiomyopathy can explain a certain number of sudden deaths among athletes. As healthcare professionals we have to be aware of this possibility among trained athletes, although we must continue to encourage moderate physical activity as a healthy behaviour among the general population.

Keywords : Sports; athlete's cardiomyopathy; athlete's heart; arrhythmias; sudden death.

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