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Exercise Recommendations for the Athlete With Coronary Artery Disease

  • Sports Cardiology (M Wasfy, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Cardiovascular Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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Abstract

Purpose of the review

We provide a framework for formulating exercise prescriptions for those with CAD in order to achieve the “optimal” dose of exercise for each individual.

Recent findings

Multiple epidemiological studies demonstrate that exercise is inversely associated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD), yet the risk of an acute coronary event is transiently elevated during vigorous exercise. In turn, CAD is the most common cause of exercise-related sudden cardiac death (SCD) in older athletes. When prescribing exercise recommendations for athletes with CAD, we should maintain equipoise between the benefits derived from sports participation and the risk of an adverse cardiac event.

Summary

Athletes are not immune from atherosclerotic CAD, and we should perform risk assessments regardless of physical and athletic prowess. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing may be a useful tool to develop individualized exercise regimens for athletes with CAD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Prashant Rao MD

  2. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Prashant Rao MD

  3. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    David Shipon MD, FACC, FACP

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  1. Prashant Rao MD
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Correspondence to David Shipon MD, FACC, FACP.

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Rao, P., Shipon, D. Exercise Recommendations for the Athlete With Coronary Artery Disease. Curr Treat Options Cardio Med 21, 82 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11936-019-0795-3

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