Key result
Among 623 athletes, hypertension was the most prevalent preexisting disease, and cardiovascular risk factors were highly prevalent, especially in those older than 35 years.
Cross-Sectional (n=623)
Despite the cardioprotective effects of physical training, athletes still exhibit a significant prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and diseases such as hypertension, particularly those over 35 years of age.
May support hypertension screening in athletes >35; cross-sectional data leaves open training's effect on risk factor prevalence.
PURPOSE: Preparticipation screening in athletes is a very current but controversial theme. Part of this controversy is due to the cost benefit, especially when the screening is merely used as a prevention of sudden cardiac death caused by rare and hereditary diseases. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of preexisting diseases, cardiovascular risk factor for cardiovascular diseases development, and hematological profile in a population of amateur and professional athletes. METHODS: Data of 623 athletes (529 men and 94 women), aged 13-77 yr, were analyzed to detect preexisting diseases. The variables total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, fasting glucose, body mass index, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and ferritin were analyzed in two groups according to age, that is, younger and older 35 yr old, and their prevalence (%) and distribution in quartiles were presented. χ test and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients between variables were applied, and P < 0.05 was adopted for significance. RESULTS: Hypertension was the most prevalent preexisting diseases, although the data showed low prevalence of cardiomyopathy. Cardiovascular risk factors were prevalent in both genders. There were positive correlations between cardiovascular risk factors and age and between body mass index and lipid levels in male athletes. Also, there was a high prevalence of low ferritin levels for women, with positive correlation between the levels of hemoglobin and ferritin. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, hypertension was the most prevalent diagnosed disease, and cardiovascular risk factors showed important prevalence, especially in athletes older than 35 yr. Although physical training represents a cardioprotective factor to the onset of cardiovascular disease, it does not exclude the prevalence of risk factors and diseases in athletes.
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Matos et al. (2010) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular risk factors in athletes (n=623). Age > 35 years vs. Age ≤ 35 years was evaluated on Prevalence of preexisting diseases and cardiovascular risk factors. Among 623 athletes, hypertension was the most prevalent preexisting disease, and cardiovascular risk factors were highly prevalent, especially in those older than 35 years.
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