Sport: physiological modifications and evaluation for the prevention of sudden death. (Part I)

Abstract

The practice of regular sport has proven to be beneficial for health and prolong life, in healthy people, with cardiovascular pathology and at any age. It is also true that the risk of dying suddenly increases. Recently there has been evidence that the excess could be harmful and so research continues. In athletes there are adaptations of cardiovascular system that can be confused with abnormalities. There are also cardiovascular pathologies that progress faster with exercise and people with asymptomatic disorders in which exercise can trigger adverse events. Pre-sport assessment has been shown to prevent sudden death. In order to avoid erroneous diagnoses that affect athlete’s life, it is necessary to know the clinical, electrocardiographic and anatomical adaptations that are considered normal and to use international guidelines.
A review is presented, which will be published in two parts. In the first one, the benefit of sport and uncertainties in relation to its excess are discussed, as well as the risk of sudden death, its pathophysiology and the advantage of pre-sport assessment. In the second part, the adaptive clinical, electrical and anatomical changes will be addressed and differentiated, for a correct qualification.