A JOINT STATEMENT OF THE PHA COUNCIL ON CARDIAC REHABILITATION AND SPORTS CARDIOLOGY, PHA COUNCIL ON PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY AND PHA COUNCIL ON CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE
POSITION STATEMENT:
The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) recommends that a systematic and collaborative approach to preparticipation cardiovascular screening be carried out in athletes and will assist in its implementation and advocacy.
The health and safety of athletes, both pediatric and adult, are of paramount importance. In the Philippines, sports and exercise participation promotes fitness, teamwork and invokes a sense of personal achievement and national pride. However, cardiovascular disease remains the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in athletes and undiagnosed cardiac conditions can lead to sudden cardiac arrest which may have catastrophic consequences.
Although rare, such events carry significant medical and societal impact, underscoring the need for proactive preventative strategies. Routine cardiovascular screening and surveillance are essential for athlete health management. Preparticipation cardiovascular evaluation—including medical history, physical examination and a resting 12 lead electrocardiogram (ECG), when feasible, can detect at-risk individuals and enable timely intervention.
International societies including the American Heart Association and the European Society of Cardiology endorse and support preparticipation screening for athletes. However, there are no standardized national recommendations for cardiovascular screening in Filipino athletes, both at the professional and grassroots levels. This can lead to inconsistent health practices resulting in missed cardiovascular issues potentially risking athlete health and safety.
The PHA calls for the development of a national framework for athlete cardiovascular screening that is evidence-based, standardized, and adapted to the Philippine context. This framework should:
- Establish consistent protocols for both pediatric and adult athletes, including follow-up and emergency preparedness
- Educate athletes, coaches, healthcare professionals, and policymakers on the importance of preparticipation cardiac screening
- Enhance access to diagnostic resources and create referral pathways for identified athletes at risk
- Promote research to refine and update screening strategies based on emerging evidence
Through collaborations with relevant stakeholders, the PHA aims to improve our approach to cardiac screening to reduce the burden of sudden cardiac death among our athletes, safeguarding their lives and promoting sports and exercise to improve cardiovascular health.
