Narrative review highlights exercise stress testing's role in diagnosing syncope in athletes, suggesting improved risk stratification and decision-making.
Key Points
MAIN FINDING: Exercise stress testing is crucial for evaluating exertional syncope in athletes to identify potential cardiac issues.
KEY EVIDENCE: 15-25% of athletes experience arrhythmic or ischemic findings during sport-specific stress tests, with negative predictive values near 95%.
APPROACH: This narrative review synthesized evidence from observational studies and clinical guidelines up to 2025 concerning athletic populations.
SIGNIFICANCE: Individualized testing protocols integrated with comprehensive assessments enhance diagnostic accuracy for athlete safety.