Cardiovascular Disease- How to Reverse Heart Disease

The SCD of young athletes is rare, but an electrocardiogram (EKG) is indicated prior to competitive sports in young patients which may reveal abnormalities and help define a risk of ventricular arrythmias. An echocardiogram may be considered prior to participation in competitive sports if concern exists or if an EKG is abnorml. (32)

Exercise cardiac stress testing referral:

Stress testing should be conducted in patients with suspected or known coronary artery disease, typical and atypical angina or have had prior heart attack. In healthy people, without symptoms, those with multiple heart risk factors (high cholesterol, high blood pressure, family history, obese, diabetes mellitus) or concurrent chronic diseases or those in a high-risk occupation for example pilots, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and transit operators should undergo exercise stress testing. Stress testing is also recommend for men over age 40 and women over age 50 who have been inactive but plan to start vigorous exercise. Evaluation of exercise capacity in patients with heart disease involving one or more of the valves of the heart (patient’s whose heart valve does not open fully), those with heart rhythm disorders, and those with pacemakers is also necessary. (31)