Sudden
cardiac death (SCD) associated with athletic activity while uncommon, can be a
devastating event as victims tend to be young and/or quite healthy. Exercise
can trigger underlying, undetected heart problems in an otherwise
healthy-seeming individual, especially those who have been sedentary for a
while. With a
greater nationwide emphasis towards fitness and active lifestyles, as well as
increased participation in endurance events, there is no better time to get
yourself screened.
While there are strong data that sports can
worsen a few select heart conditions, those are rare. Whether you’re a weekend
warrior on the tennis court, training for a marathon or picking up sports again
after a long lay-off, it’s important to identify any cardiac issues by a simple
sports screening. Using a combination of blood tests, physical examination, a
simple electrocardiogram (ECG) or exercise stress test, questions on medical
history, Dr Khoo can help individuals evaluate their cardiovascular risks as
well as identify potentially life-threatening conditions. This can lead to
advice on appropriate duration/intensity and how to exercise safely and with
peace of mind.