Pre-Sports Evaluation Specialist

Coral Gables Cardiology Associates

Concierge Internal Medicine & Cardiologists serving the greater Miami, Florida area. Call us to book your appointment today.

A pre-sports evaluation is a critical facet of athlete health which helps identify cardiovascular concerns that can lead to heart attack and sudden death during high level competition. The team at Coral Gables Cardiology Associates has decades of experience screening professional and recreational athletes for these conditions, many of which go unnoticed for years. Whether you are an amateur or an elite competitor, contact your physician to learn more about a pre-sports evaluation.

305-443-5291

Pre-Sports Evaluation Q & A

Why do I need a pre-sports evaluation?

Pre-sports evaluations are required by virtually all organized athletic teams, whether collegiate or professional. These exams are carefully structured to maintain the health of athletes and ensure they can safely engage in their athletic activity.

What should I expect during a preseason sports evaluation?

A pre-sports evaluation shares some similarities with a routine annual exam.

However, the goal of a pre-sports evaluation is to detect health conditions, injuries, or other concerns that affect your ability to play sports.

Based on the results, your doctor at Coral Gables Cardiology Associates, in consultation with other specialists if needed, can develop a plan to prevent future injuries and restore your health so you can get back in the game.

Is my heart health assessed during my pre-sports evaluation?

Sudden cardiac death due to an undetected heart defect or abnormality is a rare but catastrophic event, especially when occurring in people younger than 35. When it happens, however, it often occurs during physical activities, especially competitive sports.

For this reason, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that all competitive athletes have basic cardiovascular screening during your pre-sports evaluation.

The top causes of sudden cardiac death in young athletes include:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy;
Coronary artery abnormalities;
Long QT syndrome;
Congenital abnormalities; and,
Myocarditis.

When assessing you for heart problems, your doctor reviews your family history for heart disease and explores your personal history for exertional chest pain, fatigue, and dizziness. Then they listen to your heart and check your femoral pulse and brachial artery blood pressure.

If your doctor at Coral Gables Cardiology Associates detects any problems, they may recommend on-site cardiovascular testing such as electrocardiography, echocardiography, or stress testing.

If you need a pre-sports evaluation or cardiac evaluation, you can count on the experienced internal medicine and cardiology physicians at Coral Gables Cardiology Associates Call the office to schedule your appointment today.

We serve the greater Miami, Florida area. Call us to book your appointment today.