The largest hypertension study conducted on European athletes (2015) reported a 3% prevalence of hypertension among a large cohort of athletes. Hypertension is the most common condition observed at preparticipation screening. High-intensity competitive exercise in individuals with cardiovascular disease can lead to serious adverse events and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death.
In particular, arterial hypertension causes left ventricular hypertrophy and is a risk factor for coronary artery disease; additionally, an acute increase in blood pressure destabilizes atherosclerotic plaques, causing myocardial infarction or cerebrovascular events. Several risk factors include high BMI and increased height, excess physical training, diabetes mellitus, smoking, dyslipidemia, abdominal obesity, family history of early-onset cardiovascular disease, and use of oral contraceptives. Join the…
