Juraj Dúbrava
Athlete´s heart is typically characterized by an increase in left ventricular mass of up to 45 % and an increase in wall thickness and left ventricular cavity size up to 20 %. Specific phenotype in terms of concentric remodeling, eccentric hypertrophy or concentric hypertrophy differs in individual sports and it depends on the ratio of strength and endurance training. Systolic and diastolic ventricular function is always normal in athlete´s heart. It is necessary to distinguish mainly hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is the most frequent cause of sudden death in athletes. The main problem is the „gray zone“ between both entities. The problem of athlete´s heart is not rare in cardiologic practice and there exists the possibility of diagnostic failure. Needless „alibistic“ prohibition of competitive sport with the loss of profession as well the overlooking of serious heart disease with the risk of sudden death on the other hand must be avoided. This overview characterizes from the practical point of view athlete´s heart including physiologic limits, differential diagnostics and the risk of sudden death.