Turkish Society of Cardiology consensus report on recommendations for athletes with high-risk genetic cardiovascular diseases or implanted cardiac devices

Abstract

Regular exercise has many favorable effects on the cardiovascular system. However, intense physical activity, especially in a competitive fashion, may become hazardous to genetically vulnerable individuals. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in sports and exercise is defined as cardiac arrest occurring during or within 1 hour of exercise or sports-related activity, and genetically transmitted cardiovascular diseases are among the most common pathologies leading to SCD in competitive athletes (1). The aim of our document is to summarize the various aspects of the most common genetic cardiovascular diseases in athletes and to make recommendations for diseased athletes and athletes with implanted cardiac pacemakers/Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs) based on the current literature.