Sports Cardiology BC is a new organization concerned with the heart health of athletes. The group aims to help athletes stay safe while participating in competitive and recreational sport.

They held their first public education seminar on October 21st on the challenges faced by young and aged athletes in cardiac health and safety.

Dr. Saul Isserow (Head of Centre for Cardiovascular Health at VGH) and Dr. Jack Taunton (Director of Sport Medicine for Fortius Sport and Health) founded the Sports Cardiology BC clinic. Dr. Scott Lear is also part of the organization’s team of cardiology, sports and research specialists.

The clinic’s mission is based on four pillars: screening and assessment, research, advocacy and education. They screen and assess athletes in order to identify those that may be at risk and to help them manage any conditions that may increase risk. Referral forms are avaialble atwww.sportscardiologybc.org/old. 

They also conduct research to improve the lack of Canadian data on cardiac risk in sport. Currently, they are conducting a study screening young competitive athletes (aged 12 – 35) for cardiac anomalies with the goal to prevent sudden cardiac death in sport.

Young and aged athletes face different health issues, so research is needed in both of these subpopulations. Young athletes tend to have structural heart abnormalities from birth, while aged athletes are faced with undiagnosed coronary artery disease. While Italy has been at the forefront of research in cardiac incidents in sport, this information doesn’t necessarily trait to Canadian athletes where there may be differences in genetics and ethnicity.

The clinic also aims to educate physicians, coaches and athletes about potential cardiac issues in sports, and works in advocacy for health care policy that would make screening mandatory for competitive athletes. Screening in competitive sport has been shown to reduce death rates in sudden cardiac incidents.

This privately-funded organization has the potential to effectively improve the cardiac health and safety of young and aged competitive athletes. Hats off to the team at Sports Cardiology BC for embarking on their mission!

For more information on the clinic and the research study, visit their website, www.sportscardiologybc.org/old.

Click here for the full article: http://www.sfu.ca/chs/news/news-10-24-2013.html