Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Evaluation of Cardiovascular Status in Professional Athletes Using Medical History, Physical Examination, Electrocardiography, and Echocardiography: A Cross-Sectional Study in Mazandaran Province

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors
Maedeh Makaremi 1
Mohammadtaghi Salehi Omran 2
Hemmat Gholinia 3
Mohammadtaghi Hedayati Godarzi 4
1 Cardiology Resident, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
2 Associate Professor of Echocardiography, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
3 Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
4 Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiology, Rohani Hospital, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
10.48305/jims.v44.i872.1358
Abstract
Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in athletes, although rare, is a catastrophic event that often occurs due to underlying and asymptomatic cardiac diseases. Cardiac screening to identify high-risk athletes appears essential, especially in areas with a history of such incidents. This study aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular status of professional athletes in Mazandaran province and identify high-risk individuals.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 449 professional athletes (384 males and 65 females) with at least two years of professional activity experience across 22 different sports, at Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital in Babol. All participants underwent a complete medical history taking, physical examination, 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG), and transthoracic echocardiography. Data were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests.
Findings: Among 449 athletes, 83 individuals (18.5%) had positive symptoms or medical history (chest pain, syncope, dyspnea, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, or family history). The prevalence of chest pain was significantly higher in women than in men (P = 0.03). Sixty-three athletes (14%) had abnormal ECG findings. The mean corrected QTc interval was 362 ± 28.1 milliseconds. On echocardiography, no cases of hypertrophic or arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy were observed. Ultimately, 3 high-risk athletes were identified: one case of Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome who underwent ablation, a second case with a bicuspid aortic valve with moderate regurgitation, and a third case with ischemic heart disease who was prohibited from competitive activity.
Conclusion: Combined screening with medical history, physical examination, ECG, and echocardiography was able to identify high-risk athletes. Performing ECG played a key role in detecting conditions such as WPW that were asymptomatic on history and physical examination, while echocardiography was also effective in diagnosing structural abnormalities such as bicuspid aortic valve. Implementing these screening methods can help prevent sudden cardiac death in athletes.

Highlights

Maedeh Makaremi: Google Scholar

Mohammadtagi Salehi Omran : Google Scholar

Hemat Gholinia : Google Scholar

Mohammadtagi Hedayati Godarzi : Google Scholar

Keywords
Mass Screening
Athletes
Sudden Cardiac Death
Electrocardiography
Echocardiography
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
Subjects
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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 44, Issue 872
4th Week, September
September and October 2026
Pages 1358-1366

  • Receive Date 19 August 2026
  • Accept Date 03 September 2026