Experiences in cardiovascular screening of professional athletes using echocardiography and electrocardiography at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Tanzania- a cross-sectional observational study

Sudden cardiac deaths (SCD) in professional athletes have resulted in a need for cardiovascular screening. There is a general paucity of data regarding screening for SCD risks in African professional athletes, including those in Tanzania. To determine professional athletes’ electrocardiographic and echocardiographic characteristics. A cross-sectional study at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, involved professional athletes from 2021 to 2023 Data on anthropometrics, physical examination, and family history were entered into a standardized questionnaire. All patients underwent 12-lead electrocardiograph (ECG) and two-dimensional echocardiography. Continuous variables were tested for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. ECG and echocardiography findings of men and women athletes were compared by using the unpaired Student’s t-test for continuous variables. The chi-square test was used to evaluate the differences in proportions for categorical ECG and echocardiographic findings of men and women athletes. The p-value of < 0.05 was statistically significant. Eighty-six professional athletes were included, most of whom were men (62%). There was a statistically significant mean difference in men(M) vs. women(W) in heart rate (53 M vs. 60 W p <.001), PR interval (176 M vs. 164 W p <.043) and left ventricular internal diameter in diastole (46 M vs. 41 W p <.001). The most prevalent normal ECG finding in men athletes was early repolarization, and sinus arrhythmia in women athletes. Most of our athletes had normal physiological changes. We recommend a 1–2 years cardiovascular screening for competitive athletes.