Oral Magnesium Supplementation in Athletes with Premature Ventricular Contractions and/or Premature Atrial Contractions

Exercise may increase the amount of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and premature atrial contractions (PACs) that individuals experience. A high number of PVCs and PACs may indicate heart disease and a higher risk of sudden cardiac death. Magnesium helps maintain proper heart muscle function. This study aims to determine if magnesium supplementation can reduce the frequency and symptoms of PVCs and PACs.

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Research, Education and Detection in the Young (READY)

READY is a program that aims to improve the safety of sport in young athletes participating in sport in British Columbia through pre-participation screening and awareness.

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Cardiac Emergency Preparedness in Lower Mainland Health/Fitness and Recreational Centers: The GYM AED Study

The goals of this study are to:
1) Determine the implementation rate of Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in health and fitness facilities in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland
2) Assess the accessibility of AEDs (i.e. location and public access) in health and fitness facilities
3) Determine rates of CPR training among health and fitness facility staff

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First Responders Cardiac Research, Education and Early Detection

Sudden Cardiac Death accounts for 45% of on duty deaths in American firefighters. According to the American Heart Association, the average age of a police officer who suffers a heart attack is 49 years old, compared to 67 years old for the general public. The stressful and physically demanding nature of these occupations puts individuals at risk for cardiac events. This project aims to describe the prevalence of cardiac risk factors and disease in first responders and to assess the efficacy of screenings and medical consultations on changing risk factors after 12-24 months.

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Hypertensive Response to Exercise and Atrial Arrhythmia Study

High blood pressure at rest has been found to be suggestive of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and atrial enlargement/remodeling, which can cause atrial arrhythmias (most common being atrial fibrillation). It has also been found to worsen outcomes for cardiovascular events and mortality. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a link between a hypertensive response to exercise (individuals who have normal blood pressure at rest but high blood pressure when exercising) and atrial arrhythmias.

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Masters Athlete Screening Study: Follow-up Project

The incidence of cardiovascular events (i.e. nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), nonfatal atherosclerotic stroke, coronary artery bypass surgery, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, or cardiovascular death) in the Masters athlete population is unknown. We will follow the MASS participants for 10 additional years by administering a questionnaire at years 5 and 10 post their final year 5 screening and link their data to PopDataBC, HEARTis, Cardiac Services BC, PharmaNet, and DAD to determine the incidence of cardiovascular events in Masters athletes.

Masters Athlete Screening Study Legacy Project

There are no Canadian guidelines for a comprehensive risk assessment in adults already exercising and there are contrasting opinions across international guidelines on the best way to prevent adverse cardiac events. Participants will be randomized to one of four protocols (American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), American Heart Association (AHA), European Association of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (EACPR), SportsCardiologyBC (SCBC)) and followed for ten years to assess the impact of an Exercise Stress Test (EST) on morbidity and mortality in Masters athletes. The ACSM group will serve as the control population as it does not include an EST. The ACSM cohort (no EST) will be compared to the EST-inclusive cohorts (AHA, EACPR, SCBC).

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PREVIOUS STUDIES

  • Masters Athlete Screening Study: Evaluation of Pre-Participation Screening and Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Masters Athletes in British Columbia
  • Masters Athlete Screening Study – Psychological Impact Evaluation
  • Time of Day Study
  • CIS Pre-Participation Cardiovascular Screening Survey
  • Prevalence of Cardiac Disease in British Columbia for Youth Competitive Athletes – SportsCardiologyBC Heart Screening
  • Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Aortic Valve Regurgitation: Progression of Severity and Time to Aortic Valve Replacement
  • Firefighters in Burnaby, BC: The Impact of a 5-year Exercise and Diet Intervention Program on Cardiovascular Health, Aerobic Fitness and Quality of Life

Contact Us


Phone: +1 (604) 822-9494
Fax: +1 (604) 822-7625
Email: scbc.research@vch.ca

Referrals


Fax: +1 (604) 822-7625

SportsCardiologyBC
Room #S110
UBC Hospital
2211 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver B.C.
V6T 2B5

VGH / UBC Foundation


SportsCardiologyBC is supported by donations to VGH &
UBC Hospital Foundation. Your donations ensure that
our highly specialized program can continue to invest
in research, cardiovascular screening and public
education to improve the health of British
Columbians and athletes around the world.

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