Pedi CardioRef
Reference: ACC/AHA Sports Participation Recommendations (Circulation 2015) Task Force 8: Coronary Artery Disease

participate in organized sports?

Should my patient with Coronary Artery Disease participate in organized sports?

Kawasaki Disease


Need to know:

No aneurysms, no exercise-induced ischemia/arrhythmias

"Patients with no coronary aneurysms during the convalescent phase and with no exercise-induced ischemia or arrhythmias may be considered for participation in all sports starting 8 weeks after the illness has resolved."

Can consider all sports, 8 weeks after illness resolved

(Class IIb Recommendation; Level of Evidence C)

Transient aneurysms, no exercise-induced ischemia/arrhythmias

"Patients with transient coronary aneurysms and with no exercise-induced ischemia or arrhythmias may be considered for participation in all sports 8 weeks after illness resolution. Risk reassessment is recommended at 3- to 5-year intervals or according to current guidelines."

Can consider all sports, 8 weeks after illness resolved (and reassess q3-5 years)

(Class IIb Recommendation; Level of Evidence C)

Small to medium-sized aneurysms, no exercise-induced ischemia/arrhythmias

"In the absence of exercise-induced ischemia or arrhythmias, it is reasonable for patients to participate in low- to moderate-intensity static and dynamic competitive sports. Patients with persistent small to medium-sized aneurysms in ≥1 coronary arteries should continue antiplatelet therapy and undergo ongoing surveillance."

Low- to moderate-intensity static and dynamic sports = reasonable. Continue antiplatelet therapy. Continue surveillance.

(Class IIa Recommendation; Level of Evidence C)

Large coronary aneurysm

"Patients with ≥1 large coronary aneurysms should continue antiplatelet therapy and possibly anticoagulant therapy.

It is also reasonable for annual stress tests to be performed and activity to be guided by results, similar to adults with ASCAD."

Activity based on stress test results (See ASCAD guidelines)🔗

(Class I Recommendation; Level of Evidence C)

MI or revascularization

"Patients with myocardial infarction or revascularization should follow the guidance for adults with ASCAD."

(Class I Recommendation; Level of Evidence A)


Patients undergoing antiplatelet therapy

"Collision sports should be avoided in patients undergoing antiplatelet therapy."

No collision sports

(Class I Recommendation; Level of Evidence C)

Reference: Eligibility and Disqualification Recommendations for Competitive Athletes With Cardiovascular Abnormalities: Task Force 8: Coronary Artery Disease. A Scientific Statement From the AHA and ACC. Circulation 2015

Disclaimer: This website is derived from published guidelines, but does not constitute medical advice nor does it replace clinical judgement. Only the text in quotation marks are direct quotations from the original guidelines. Text not in quotations as well as the method of information display are all that of the website creator and are not part of the original published guidelines. Please consult a physician to discuss any patient-specific matters.

Key:MI = myocardial infarction, ASCAD = atherosclerotic coronary artery disease