EP 132: The Heart of the Game: Cardiovascular Risk in Athletes

In this illuminating episode of Parallax, Dr Ankur Kalra engages with Dr Jonathan Drezner, Director of Sports Cardiology at the University of Washington, who explores the complex world of cardiovascular risk in competitive athletes. Dr Drezner traces the evolution of sports cardiology from watershed moments involving high-profile athletes like Hank Gathers and Reggie Lewis to today's sophisticated screening protocols. The conversation reveals startling statistics about sudden cardiac death—particularly among specific athlete populations where risks are significantly higher than previously thought. The discussion delves into the limitations of traditional screening questionnaires versus the enhanced detection capabilities of ECG testing, highlighting how proper interpretation has dramatically reduced false positives. Dr Drezner articulates the shift from universal disqualification to personalized risk assessment for athletes with cardiac conditions, emphasizing the critical elements of effective emergency action plans that can mean the difference between life and death on the playing field. Listeners will gain valuable insights into both common and rare cardiac conditions affecting athletes, from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to anomalous coronary arteries, while understanding the three pillars of modern sports cardiology: epidemiology, screening, and management. This episode offers essential knowledge for cardiologists, sports medicine physicians, and other healthcare professionals involved in athlete cardiac care. Questions and comments can be sent to “[email protected]” and may be answered by Ankur in the next episode. Host: @AnkurKalraMD and produced by: @RadcliffeCARDIO Parallax is Ranked in the Top 100 Health Science Podcasts (#48) by Million Podcasts: https://www.radcliffecardiology.com/news/parallax-podcast-ankur-kalra-recognised-among-top-medical-podcasts?language_content_entity=en