Turkish Society of Cardiology consensus report on recommendations for athletes with high-risk genetic cardiovascular diseases or implanted cardiac devices

Regular exercise has many favorable effects on the cardiovascular system. However, intense physical activity, especially in a competitive fashion, may become hazardous to genetically vulnerable individuals. A competitive athlete is one who participates in an organized team or individual sport that requires regular competition against others as a central component, places a high premium on excellence and achievement, and requires some form of systematic (and usually intense) training. Soccer, basketball, running, cycling, and swimming are some examples of competitive sports with high dynamic activity, whereas gymnastics, weight lifting, and sailing are examples of competitive sports with high static activity. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) in sports and exercise is defined as cardiac arrest occurring during or within 1 hour of exercise or sports-related activity, and genetically transmitted cardiovascular diseases are among the most common pathologies leading to SCD in competitive athletes (1).