Need to know:
Structrually normal heart, no molecular/genetic/inflammatory disorder, suppression of arrhythmia with exercise
"Athletes with a structurally normal heart and no evidence of molecular/genetic or inflammatory disorders with suppression of the arrhythmia during exercise can participate in competitive athletics at any level.
The exercise testing protocol should be based on maximum performance rather than achieving 80 to 100% of the target heart rate to come as close as possible to the level of exertion achieved during the athlete’s competitive sport.
Consideration of advanced therapy such as catheter ablation in an attempt to cure the runs of NSVT is optional."
(Class I Recommendation; Level of Evidence C)
Structrually normal heart, NSVT suppressed by medication
"For athletes without structural heart disease who have NSVT that is suppressed by drug therapy, especially β-blockers, documentation of both ambient and exercise-induced NSVT should be required before general clearance for participation in higher-level competitive athletics.
Specifically, the athlete should not compete in sports with a classification greater than IA unless it is documented by exercise testing or electrophysiological testing that the arrhythmia is no longer inducible under the circumstances in which it was induced before therapy. β-Blockers might exacerbate exercise-induced asthma."
(Class I Recommendation; Level of Evidence C)
Structrually abnormal heart, or active myocarditis
"Athletes with structural disorders or active myocarditis and documented NSVT should only participate in low-intensity class IA sports. In the case of myocarditis, reevaluation is recommended after there is clinical and laboratory evidence of healing of the myocarditis, with return to athletics a minimum of 3 months after clinical resolution."
(Class I Recommendation; Level of Evidence C)
Reference: Eligibility and Disqualification Recommendations for Competitive Athletes With Cardiovascular Abnormalities: Task Force 9.
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: NSVT = non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, VT = ventricular tachycardia