Prevention in sports cardiology: studies supported by the Cesare Bartorelli Foundation

A few days have passed since World Heart Day on September 29, which like every year reminds us of the importance of preventing cardiovascular diseases. A topic that also applies to sport – professional and non-professional – and always has been among the priorities of the Cesare Bartorelli Foundation for the development of cardiovascular research and medicine. This is called the foundation one of the greatest Italian doctors of the twentieth centuryProfessor Cesare Bartorelli, and funds advanced studies in the field of sports cardiologyas well as being involved in the financing of prevention-related projectscoronary atherosclerosis and cardiomyopathies, conditions that affect both athletes and the general population. This is a sector that affects millions of people – the latest data from the Istat BES 2023 report shows that in Italy more than one person in 4 (25.5% to be precise) practice sports – but the results of these studies are important for cardiovascular prevention in general, and for this reason it is essential to know what they are reactions of the heart and circulatory system during physical exercise.

The importance of cardiovascular prevention: Luca’s story

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How basic prevention is proven by history Luca, a 24 year old tennis player. It all started with an electrocardiographic anomaly that made the doctor order further tests: it turned out coronary anomaly which caused Luca to immediately cancel all competitive activities and begin a thorough assessment process in a center where experts in sports cardiology work. Fortunately, the anomaly turned out to be “inconclusive” and Luca was able to resume competition safely, while having regular check-ups to monitor his health. It’s a show the importance of prevention, early diagnosis and cardiovascular research to allow athletes to pursue their interests and compete in complete safety.

From sports to general cardiovascular health

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“Supporting our Foundation means contribute to the happy ending of stories like Luca’soffering hope and solutions for a safer future,” explained the Professor Antonio Bertorellifull professor at the University of Milan and Head of Interventional Cardiology at the University of IRCCS Galeazzi-Sant’Ambrogio Hospital in Milanwho took up his father’s legacy. In addition, he explains Bertorelli, understanding how the heart behaves through physical exercise represents also an important step forward in cardiovascular prevention in general: “Studying the reactions of the heart in situations where the cardiovascular system is under great stress allows researchers to delve deeper into the behavior of the heart under stress. This information is relevant to many contexts, including heart patients and unemployed people who want to improve their health. Understanding how the heart changes and responds to exercise will help New perspectives on common pathologies like thehigh blood pressurearrhythmias and heart failure.” Furthermore, President Bartorelli recalled that “some studies published by members of our scientific board has studied anomalies of coronary origin, showing how they can have a significant impact on athletes, although they often remain unnoticed in the general population, emphasizing the importance of targeted cardiac screening. The progress achieved has a direct impact not only on athletes but also on the general population and contributing to the improvement of global cardiovascular health and reducing the risks associated with physical exercise.”

The Italian model

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According to the Italian Federation of Sports Medicine, there is an application of “Italian model” of pre-participation screening of the populationeven at a very young age, to study the nature of heart accidents (especially in sports) to contribute reduction in sports-related sudden deaths in Italy (with a ratio of 1 to 1 million and a half) compared to the rest of the world, where the ratio is 1 to 100,000. “Hidden heart abnormalities can affect even a non-professional or professional athlete, despite a healthy appearance, which can be dangerous during physical activity,” explained the Professor Daniele Andreinivice president of the foundation also professor at the University of Milan and Head of Clinical Cardiology and Cardiac Imaging and Sports Cardiology at theIRCCS Galeazzi-Sant’Ambrogio Hospital: “Research projects in sports cardiology have shown how more detailed presentations and advanced diagnostic techniques are able to detect these conditions. Such knowledge not only improves safety for athletes, but it has wider applications in preventing early cardiovascular disease in the general population.”