Pedi CardioRef
Reference: ACC/AHA Sports Participation Recommendations (Circulation 2015) Task Force 4: Congenital Heart Disease

participate in organized sports?

Should my patient with Pulmonary Hypertension participate in organized sports?

Need to know:

Mean PA pressure < 25 mmHg

"Patients with mean pulmonary artery pressure of < 25 mm Hg can participate in all competitive sports."

All competitive sports = likely acceptable

(Class I Recommendation; Level of Evidence B)

Mean PA pressure > 25 mmHg

"Patients with moderate or severe pulmonary hypertension, with a mean pulmonary artery pressure >25 mm Hg, should be restricted from all competitive sports, with the possible exception of low-intensity (class IA) sports. Complete evaluation and exercise prescription (physician guidance on exercise training) should be obtained before athletic participation."

No sports, possible exception Class IA sports, after physician evaluation

(Class III Recommendation; Level of Evidence B)

Reference: Eligibility and Disqualification Recommendations for Competitive Athletes With Cardiovascular Abnormalities: Task Force 4: Congenital Heart 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: ECG = electrocardiogram, LV = left ventricle, RV = right ventricle, echo = echocardiogram