How to Self Screen for underlying Cardiomyopathy

Below is a suggestion of information from the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association that should be obtained about each student athlete prior to participation in order to prevent SCD and discover underlying Cardiomyopathy.  

 

"Medical history

    Personal history

        1. Chest pain/discomfort after exertion 

        2. Unexplained syncope/near-syncope

        3. Excessive and unexplained shortness of breath/fatigue, associated with physical activity

        4. Prior recognition of a heart murmur

        5. Elevated systemic blood pressure

    Family history

        6. Premature death (sudden and unexpected) before age 50 years due to heart disease, in any relative/s

        7. Disability from heart disease in a close relative <50 years of age

        8. Specific knowledge of certain cardiac conditions in family members: hypertrophic or dilated          cardiomyopathy, long-QT syndrome or other ion channelopathies, Marfan syndrome, or clinically important    arrhythmias

Physical examination

      9. Heart murmur

    10. Femoral pulses to exclude aortic coarctation

    11. Physical stigmata of Marfan syndrome

    12. Brachial artery blood pressure (sitting position)

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**Official Cardiovascular screening should include ECG, echocardiogram, possible stress test, possible cardiac MRI and follow up plan as needed. In the opinion of the HCMA, these tests should be conducted by a cardiac professional, not a general practitioner or pediatrician."

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Source:

“Athletic Preparticipation Screening Guidelines.” HCMA, www.4hcm.org/content.asp?contentid=248.