News
January 2010 Cardiac Sports Screen
Cardio Direct is now recognized by the Sports and Exercise Department of the FA to screen their scholars.
July 2009 We now offer carotid, aortic and lower limb Doppler ultrasounds at Cardio Direct.
22 September 2008 England Women’s rugby team undertake cardiac screening
January 2010Cardiac Sports Screen
We provide a mobile screening service for sports clubs, schools, colleges or screening in our central London clinic.
We are recognized by the Sports and Exercise Medicine Department of the FA to screen their Scholars and we work closely with premiership football clubs, the RFUW and many individual sportsmen and women.
As part of the FA Medical Education Centre screening program all scholars are offered the chance to undergo cardiac screening. The medical program is funded by the FA and the PFA and there is no financial cost to clubs who wish to use this service.
Many individuals will have no warning of a heart problem and symptoms can be hard to recognize particularly in those who are used to pushing themselves to extremes. Although the incidence of finding cardiac abnormalities is relatively rare, one unnecessary death prevented makes a screening program like this worth while.
There is growing evidence that identifying athletes with previously unknown cardiac disorders can prevent sudden death by treatment and intervention.
Our cardiac sports screening program will:
- identify undetected cardiac abnormalities
- encourage people to look after their health and promote awareness
- reassure and educate
A cardiac sports screen for under 35yrs consists of:
- A consent form
- A questionnaire, including family history, medical history and a check list of possible exercise related conditions
- Blood pressure measurement
- A 12 lead ECG
- An echocardiogram
- A report from a consultant cardiologist
For athletes over 35yrs we also recommend an Exercise ECG to exclude coronary artery disease.
Our cardiac screening is performed by a team of accredited vascular scientists and nurse specialists. All investigations are reported on by Consultant Cardiologist, Dr. Amanda Varnava, based at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, Imperial College Healthcare Trust. Dr Varnava specialises in screening families for Sudden Cardiac Death and has an international reputation in this field. In addition, she has wide experience of the athlete’s heart and screens many of the premiership football teams.
Please contact the clinic and ask for Lucia Amato or Clare Addison for further information.
For an appointment please call the clinic on 020 7935 9303.