[Sudden cardiac death in athletes is usually caused by undiagnosed heart disease. Cardiac screening of young athletes under discussion]

Abstract

Sudden death during exercise in young athletes is usually caused by previously undiagnosed heart disease. The most frequent underlying diseases are hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, coronary artery anomalies and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. The possibility of carrying out screening to prevent these tragic cardiac deaths in young athletes has been discussed. A history of sudden cardiac death at a young age among relatives and/or the occurrence of exercise related symptoms in the active sportsperson may identify some of the individuals at risk. A pathological ECG is also a risk factor, especially in combination with a history of abnormal findings upon physical examination. For a correct evaluation of the young athlete, it is important to be aware of the normal variation of cardiac findings in athletes ("athlete's heart").