FINDING A HEART ABNORMALITY OR VASCULAR CONDITION DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THE END OF SPORTS FOR A YOUNG ATHLETE. BUT PLAYING WITH AN UNDETECTED CONDITION COULD LEAD TO THE END OF A LIFE.

Cappo Health Partners is the only company that focuses on the total cardiovascular health of your student athletes. Our qualified technologists and board certified reading cardiologists, pediatric cardiologists, and radiologists are trained to identify the specific cardiovascular conditions that can impact an athlete’s life.

Studies indicate the risk for sudden cardiac arrest is three times higher in competitive athletes than non-athletes. For students who participate in high-endurance activities, the risk for sudden cardiac arrest is significantly higher compared to those individuals who are not active. That’s why it is important to have your marching band members, ROTC, cheerleading squads, and dance teams tested as well as your traditional sports teams.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

A disease in which the heart muscle becomes abnormally thick, increasing the risk of a malignant arrhythmia

#1 medical cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes

  • Most often passed down through families (inherited)
  • Sudden cardiac death risk can be minimized with activity precautions, medications, and implanted defibrillators

Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW)

Condition in which there is an accessory electrical pathway of the heart

  • Can cause palpitations, lightheadedness, fainting, and even sudden cardiac death, but is often asymptomatic until a tragic event occurs
  • Can be cured through a simple ablation procedure of the accessory pathway with no physical restrictions thereafter

Marfan Syndrome

Genetic disorder that affects the body’s connective tissue

  • Typical physical characteristics include being tall and thin
  • Can cause sudden cardiac death through development of an aortic aneurysm

Long QT Syndrome

Genetic disorder of the heart’s electrical activity

  • Can cause sudden cardiac death through the development of malignant arrhythmias during exercise or stress
  • An inherited condition, but the age at which sudden cardiac death strikes can be variable

Congenital Coronary Artery Anomalies

A birth defect that involves abnormal formation of the coronary arteries

#2 medical cause of sudden cardiac death in young athletes

  • Cannot be detected through EKG, but can with echocardiography

Brugada Syndrome

Unusual genetic disorder of the heart’s electrical system

  • Causes sudden cardiac death through the development of a malignant arrhythmia
  • An inherited condition, but the age at which sudden cardiac death strikes is variable

Myocarditis

A disease marked by inflammation and damage of the heart muscle

  • Causes include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, environmental toxins, and adverse reactions to medications

Congenital Bi-Leaflet Aortic Valve

One of the most common and most serious valve disease problems

  • Can cause leaking or stenosis (restricted opening) of the aortic valve

Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)

Failure of the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart to fully close following birth

  • Common defect found in roughly 20-25% of the general population
  • Have been associated with other conditions such as stroke, transient ischemic attack, and migraine headaches

Empowering student athletes by giving them the information they need to address a cardiovascular condition is important.

Even if a student receives a clean bill of health from a physician, passes fitness tests, and exhibits no symptoms, he or she could still be at risk for one or more of these cardiovascular conditions, potentially putting the athlete’s life in danger.

Many conditions can be corrected, cured, or managed if identified early, allowing athletes to continue pursuing the activities they love.

“In addition to detecting conditions that may be lethal on the playing field, we are identifying abnormalities that, while not imminently life-threatening, still have consequences for the individuals later in life. By bringing an awareness of these disorders very early in their course, we may be preventing tragedies far down the road as well as in the immediate present.”

Dr. Jason Finkelstein

Ready to make sure your athletes are healthy and can participate safely in sports?

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