Key result
Mild asymptomatic AS permits unrestricted sports, whereas moderate-to-severe disease requires restriction or valve replacement.
Why the study?
Valvular heart disease in physically active patients presents diagnostic challenges due to exercise adaptations mimicking abnormalities and requires specific management strategies.
Provides clinical guidance on sports participation and monitoring requirements for athletes with varying severities of aortic valvular disease.
May guide sports eligibility counseling in aortic stenosis athletes; leaves open need for prospective validation of restrictions.
Valvular heart disease in physically active patients can present a diagnostic challenge, because adaptations to exercise may mimic abnormalities. Electrocardiograms may be used to follow asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic athletes but are not very useful for those with valve disorders. Moderate-to-severe aortic insufficiency requires careful follow-up and periodic echocardiograms to monitor changes. Athletes with mild aortic stenosis can participate in all sports if they are asymptomatic and have a normal exercise response. Those with moderate disease should be restricted to sports with low static and dynamic requirements. Symptoms of severe aortic stenosis include exercise-induced syncope, angina, heart attack, and, rarely, sudden death; these athletes should not compete and should have aortic valve replacement.
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A 2002 study conducted a review in Aortic Valvular Disease. Athletes with mild aortic stenosis can participate in all sports if asymptomatic, whereas those with moderate or severe disease require sports restrictions or aortic valve replacement.
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