2020 ESC Guidelines on Sports Cardiology and Exercise in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines

21 Aug 2020

The current Guidelines for exercise and sports participation in individuals with CVD are the first of a kind by the ESC. Sports cardiology is a relatively novel and emerging sub-speciality, therefore the evidence base for the natural history of disease progression or risk of death during intensive exercise and competitive sport among individuals with CVD is relatively sparse.

The current Guidelines also draw upon existing ESC Guidelines for the investigation, risk assessment, and management of individuals with CVDs to aid physicians when prescribing exercise programmes or providing advice for sports participation.

In line with good clinical practice, the present document encourages shared decision making with the athlete patient and respects the autonomy of the individual after provision of detailed information about the impact of sports and the potential risks of complications and/or adverse events (Central illustration).

Guidelines and related materials are for use by individuals for personal or educational purposes. No commercial use is allowed. Re-use permission must be correctly obtained from the publisher.

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Topic(s):

Preventive Cardiology

Exercise Testing

Sports Cardiology