Sports Cardiology

Sports Cardiology

Our cardiac screening services detect and manage heart conditions that can help young athletes avoid sudden cardiac events.

While rare, hidden heart defects can pose a serious or life-threatening risk to children and adolescents, particularly young athletes. In partnership with Children’s Health Heart Center, Children’s Health Andrews Institute offers cardiac screenings to spot the potential for these silent conditions. Our specialists work with families to manage the risk effectively and appropriately.

Children’s Health Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine

Plano

469-303-3000

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Echocardiogram

Treadmill Test

Youth Sports Physicals

Our sports medicine physicians offer pre-participation sports physicals, for individuals and groups, at our office. This is often the first step to spotting a potential heart problem in young athletes.

Your child may be asked to undergo additional screening if he or she has:

  • A family history of heart disease
  • Chest pain or shortness of breath with exertion
  • Dizziness or fainting during physical activity
  • A sensation of skipped heart beats

Preventive Heart Tests

We may refer patients to our UT Southwestern pediatric sports cardiologist, who will do a more comprehensive evaluation to determine the risk of a potential heart problem. These cardiac specialists have expert experience managing rarer, more complex cardiac cases in children and adolescents.

A full cardiac evaluation may include an:

  • EKG, or electrocardiogram: This test uses electrodes attached to the body to provide insight into the heart’s rhythms.
  • Echocardiogram: This test measures how well the heart works using ultrasound waves.
  • Treadmill test: As your child walks on a treadmill, this test measures how the heart reacts to stress or activity.

Managing Heart Defects in Young Athletes

If testing points to a potential heart condition, our team will walk you through what that means for you and your child. This includes:

  • Helping you understand the risks, as every child and condition is unique
  • Educating you on the signs and symptoms to watch out for
  • Ensuring you’re prepared for an unlikely cardiac event, such as getting CPR training
  • Making recommendations on physical activity, if applicable

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