A study provides new data for patients with genetic heart disease (GHD) and exercise recommendations. For decades, those with GHD were excluded from exercise and sports participation. This has led to poor exercise tolerance, increased risk for CAD and poor outcomes in this group related to reduced fitness. This study helps frame that those with GHD are unique and as a result, require an individualized approach to care. After expert consultation, patients with GHD can often be safe to participate in exercise including competitive sports. This is a first step in the direction of understanding the role of exercise in GHD in the care of patients who wish to exercise.

In this interview, Katherine Martinez, and Matthew Martinez MD, FACC, discuss From JACC: Return-to-Play for Elite Athletes With Genetic Heart Diseases Predisposing to Sudden Cardiac Death.

Related References:

1. Martinez KA, Bos JM, Baggish AL, Phelan DM, Tobert KE, Newman DB, Scherer E, Petek BJ, Ackerman MJ, Martinez MW. Return-to-Play for Elite Athletes With Genetic Heart Diseases Predisposing to Sudden Cardiac Death. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2023 Aug 22;82(8):661-670. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2023.05.059. PMID: 37587576.
2. Martinez MW. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Exercise: Mutually Exclusive or Beneficial? Clin Sports Med. 2022 Jul;41(3):473-484. doi: 10.1016/j.csm.2022.02.011. PMID: 35710273.
3. Lander BS, Phelan DM, Martinez MW, Dineen EH. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Updates Through the Lens of Sports Cardiology. Curr Treat Options Cardiovasc Med. 2021;23(8):53. doi: 10.1007/s11936-021-00934-1. Epub 2021 May 25. PMID: 34054288; PMCID: PMC8144867.