Let’s face it, athletes are considered to be at peak physical health. With routine workouts and a regimented diet, it seems like any medical issues that plague athletes are usually tied to broken bones and torn muscles. However, the truth is they are just as susceptible to other internal medicine issues as the rest of us, including cardiovascular disease. Here are some of the common heart health problems that impact athletes of all ages.
High Blood Pressure
Even professional athletes need to make sure their overall health is accounted for in all capacities. Their agents and management in the sports industry take greater priority in making sure they are getting the best care possible for cardiac health and other medical conditions. Online schools for sports management put an emphasis on the compassion that comes with making sure your clients are accounted for beyond the contract they sign. This includes having in-depth knowledge of their medical records, working with world-renowned experts and the best in the field to make sure that any condition is treated properly.
One common cardiac issue that the best cardiologists notice in athletes is hypertension, better known as high blood pressure. It’s common among athletes 10 years and older based on stressors associated with performance and genetic determinants. Dietary habits can also impact athletes, such as beverages that are rich in salt. While these provide quicker rehydration, higher sodium levels are commonly linked to certain cardiac issues including hypertension. Some cardiologists may recommend genetic testing as an integrative approach to handling hypertension.
Coronary Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is linked to sudden cardiac death in veteran athletes upon retirement. CAD is the most common form of heart disease. It occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become hardened and narrowed. This is due to a buildup of cholesterol on the inner walls through a condition known as atherosclerosis. This condition also increases the risk of heart attack and angina.
Primary and secondary cardiovascular protection is important for athletes early on to assess potential risks later in life. That’s why some of the best cardiologists in Los Angeles recommend early assessment. Based on cardiac research, athletes with any family history of cardiology-related issues should come in for an annual assessment to determine the overall health of the heart.
Myocarditis
Cardiologists in the past year have seen more of a spotlight on a condition known as myocarditis. Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle, which has been discovered as an aftereffect of COVID-19. Multiple cases of myocarditis came to light in professional athletes who had tested positive for the coronavirus. The symptoms of this ailment consist of irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
Left undiagnosed or untreated, athletes could be at risk of heart failure, as this condition leaves them struggling to get enough oxygen to properly take on aggressive levels of exercise. Cardiologists may prescribe certain medications to regulate heartbeat and improve heart function.
“Athlete’s Heart”
You may have heard of athlete’s foot, but there is something impacting pros and amateurs alike called athlete’s heart. Cardiologists associate this with normal changes that occur in the hearts of athletes who participate in intense athletic training. Athletic organizations and professional sports organizations are noticing the circumstances usually surround larger chambers in the heart and an increase in the thickness of the heart muscle itself.
Cardiology research has found an athlete’s heart to be the result of adaptation to athletic training and the energy afforded to physical activities. However, some cardiologists do see it as a positive in the sense of the heart’s increased ability to supply blood and oxygen to exercising tissues. Remember, whether you are just regularly in the fitness center working on your endurance, or suiting up for professional sports teams, your heart health needs to remain of the utmost importance.