Sports Cardiology
Sports cardiology is a growing, relatively new field that focuses on screening athletes (casual and those participating in organized sport) for heart disease so that abnormalities can be identified and treated prior to an episode while exercising. Since episodes can result in sudden cardiac death, early screening is critical for anyone who is physically active beyond everyday activities. Those not involved in a formal sports program – weekend warriors, in particular – may have a higher risk of a cardiac event.
At Upper Chesapeake Cardiology, our sports cardiology specialist – Dr. Vivek Dhruva – focuses on the evaluation of signs/symptoms in adult patients with:
- Chest pain
- Syncope (passing out)
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations
- Tachycardia
- Decreased exercise tolerance
- Abnormal blood pressure
- Family history of premature death
- Family history of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or long QT syndrome
- Heart murmurs
Dr. Dhruva collaborates with primary care physicians and our broader sports medicine program.