THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC SCREENING USED IN PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN HEARTS OF ATHLETES

Abstract

Abstract Changes in the structure and function of the heart that occur as a result of engaging in professional amateur training can be detected in a timely manner by using 12-channel electrocardiography (ECG) as one of the non-invasive methods used for cardiovascular screening in athletes.. The aim of the study is to promptly detect and diagnose cardiovascular conditions that can cause sudden cardiac death in athletes. In this prospective cross-sectional study conducted during 2016/2017, 285 examinees-athletes aged 9-38 years of both sexes were included (62,1% men and 37,9% women). An ECG was performed on all of them and a personal, sports and family history was taken. According to the ECG changes and in accordance with international recommendations for its interpretation, the examinees were divided into 4 groups. The results showed that physiological changes in the ECG were found in 51,9% of examinees, borderline changes in the ECG in 21,4%, while abnormal in 7,7%. Due to the possibility of timely identification and detection of heart changes due to physical activity or congenital, and could cause sudden cardiac death, the use of 12-channel electrocardiography is necessary in the evaluation of athletes. Key words: electrocardiography, sudden cardiac death, screening for cardiovascular disease, athletes