[Update on latest European Cardiology Society (ESC) recommendations on sports cardiology]

Abstract

Regular physical activity is linked to a decrease in cardiovascular risk and mortality, whatever the cause. It is a very important part of the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, exercise can cause sudden death, especially when patients have underlying cardiomyopathy. The aim of the cardiologist will be to establish a benefit-risk balance between the risk of sudden death and the benefits of physical exercise. Sport cardiology is a relatively emerging field and the amount of proofs concerning cardiovascular diseases and sudden death is unfortunately weak. Most of the best practices are based on experts' consensus. But knowledge is improving in that domain and retrospectively we are able to do a better distinction between situations when a risk of sudden death is great versus other situations where a greater liberty of sport practice is authorized. This article aims to sort out new recommendations and their evolution during these last years.

Keywords: Cardiomyopathy; Guidelines; Physical activity; Sports cardiology.