The American College of Cardiology has established a Sports and Exercise Council to define the essential skills necessary to practice effective sports cardiology for highly active people.
Highlights the increasing demand for cardiovascular specialists competent in the care of competitive athletes and highly active people, and the establishment of the ACC Sports and Exercise Council.
The last few decades have seen substantial growth in the populations of competitive athletes and highly active people (CAHAP). Although vigorous physical exercise is an effective way to reduce the risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease, CAHAP remain susceptible to inherited and acquired CV disease, and may be most at risk for adverse CV outcomes during intense physical activity. Traditionally, multidisciplinary teams comprising athletic trainers, physical therapists, primary care sports medicine physicians, and orthopedic surgeons have provided clinical care for CAHAP. However, there is increasing recognition that a care team including qualified CV specialists optimizes care delivery for CAHAP. In recognition of the increasing demand for CV specialists competent in the care of CAHAP, the American College of Cardiology has recently established a Sports and Exercise Council. An important primary objective of this council is to define the essential skills necessary to practice effective sports cardiology.
Baggish et al. (Sun,) conducted a editorial in Cardiovascular disease in competitive athletes and highly active people. The American College of Cardiology has established a Sports and Exercise Council to define the essential skills necessary to practice effective sports cardiology for highly active people.