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
22 September 2008England Women’s rugby team undertake cardiac screening
The England women’s rugby team, who are the reigning RBS 6 Nations triple Grand Slam champions, have upped the anti further by embarking on a cardiac screening programme.
The England women’s rugby team, who are the reigning RBS 6 Nations triple Grand Slam champions, have upped the anti further by embarking on a cardiac screening programme.
Cardiac screening, run by Cardiac Direct, is being offered to all the players and so far 18
ladies and three coaches have had a screen. However, by mid November it is expected that
nearly 50 players will have been screened.
As the level of women’s rugby continues to impress, the athletes, like all professional
sportsmen and women are putting their hearts through an extreme test. It’s therefore critical
that any hidden heart problems are diagnosed and treated.
England Doctor Steve Lewis said: “Cardiac screening is a vital assessment which allows us to introduce intense training and conditioning programmes for the players, safe in the
knowledge that their hearts are capable of coping with the subsequent physiological stress
placed upon them.
“I am very pleased that Cardio Direct have made this screening available to our ladies who
have previously been unable to be screened to the level that is being offered. It is an excellent service which gives reassurance to both players and medics alike.”
All players will have an ultrasound of the heart, a 12 lead ECG, fill out a medical questionnaire and have their blood pressure taken. Reports are then sent to the England Team Doctor and any recommended follow ups made.
England international Maggie Alphonsi added: “The tests were not as intrusive as I thought
they would be, I felt very relaxed and I knew at all times what each test was looking to assess. I found doing the tests to be very beneficial to me as the results obtained were very informing and have provided me relevant information for which I can now use in relation to my future involvement in sport.”