Sports Cardiology

Whether you have a pre-existing heart condition, whether you’re a professional or recreational athlete or looking to get back into shape, your heart works hard. That means it needs special care from an experienced team who works just as hard. We’re the U.K.’s leading experts in sports cardiology, electrophysiology, heart imaging and surgery. And our team works together to help you exercise safely and reach your peak performance.

At our Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute, you’ll have access to comprehensive care whether you’re an adult athlete at the highest level, someone who exercises occasionally or if you need to focus mainly on prevention and management of known heart disease.

You’ll find:

• World-class heart specialists: Our renowned team includes an internationally known sports cardiologist who has pioneered this emerging field of cardiac care. His in-depth experience in heart muscle diseases, heart valve diseases, arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death prevention means that you have access to the highest level of care.
• Care for athletes: No matter what type of athlete you are, you’ll receive elite-level heart care. We specialise in the unique needs of endurance athletes, including weekend warriors, marathoners, cyclists and triathletes. Our consultants assess your health risks and help you build a safe, effective training plan.
• Care for all: We provide support for anyone with pre-existing heart conditions who are looking to resume regular exercise as well as those who are eager to start incorporating exercise into their routines.
• One-stop clinics: In most cases, you can have all your heart assessments and specialist consultations in a single visit. You’ll get the answers and advice you need right away, so you can focus on getting back to your sport.
• Trusted expertise: You’ll have access to expertise that also advises athletes and leagues at the highest level of competition. Our programme lead is the cardiology advisor for the Football Association, English Institute of Sport, British Rugby League and British Lawn Tennis Association. He is also Medical Director of the London Marathon and president of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology. Our two lead providers have also been at the forefront of leading the European Section of Sports Cardiology.

Heart Conditions We Treat

We understand that cardiac problems in athletes can take many forms. So our team is here for you to screen, assess and care for any condition — no matter how routine or complex. We treat:

• Arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation (A-fib).
• Athlete’s heart.
• Cardiomyopathies, including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy.
• Coronary artery disease.
• COVID heart damage.
• Heart valve disease, including bicuspid aortic valve disease.
• Ion channel diseases, including Long Q-T syndrome and Brugada syndrome.
• Tachycardia, including atrial, ventricular and supraventricular tachycardia.
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

As an athlete or even a casual exercise-goer, maybe the last thing you want to hear is that you’ll need to slow down or limit your training. That’s why we focus on promoting — not prohibiting — your exercise. And if you have a pre-existing heart condition, you may have different needs. In every case, we put you at the centre of your care and we draw on a variety of treatments and services to help you reach your goals.

Cardiac screenings

Your story is unique and your heart health journey is your own, so want to hear from you to get a full understanding of your condition. Then, we’ll make sure we give you a full assessment. Our providers give thorough cardiac screenings and risk assessments for athletes at all skill levels. And screenings help us spot underlying cardiovascular problems that put you at risk for sudden cardiac death.

These screenings include:

• Detailed personal and familial medical history.
• Evaluating exercise-related symptoms such as fainting, palpitations or chest pain.
• Physical exam, including evaluating your pulse, heartbeat and blood pressure.

We may also do some tests as part of your cardiac screening, including:

• Echocardiogram.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG).
• Exercise stress test.
• Cardiopulmonary exercise stress test (CPET).

Advanced diagnostic testing

If you have a known heart disease or an abnormal screening result, you may need further diagnostic testing. We also distinguish between the natural changes that happen in an athlete’s heart versus changes that may be associated with disease.

For example, athletic heart syndrome (also called athlete’s heart) is an enlargement of the heart muscle that happens with regular rigorous physical activity. It’s natural, usually harmless and doesn’t need treatment.

But abnormal heart enlargement, called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, is a dangerous cardiac disease that requires lifelong management.

It takes an experienced team and advanced imaging to accurately diagnose sports-related heart conditions. You’ll have access to that team. Learn more about our expertise in heart imaging.

Surgical and medical treatments

If you’re an athlete, your cardiologist will work closely with your general practitioner (GP), coach, athletic trainer, physiotherapist and other members of your care team to build a personalised return-to-play plan. We make sport-specific recommendations and provide ongoing monitoring and follow-up care to help you manage your condition. Our priority is to keep you safe and healthy for the long term.

We can treat many heart conditions with medication or minimally invasive surgeries that help you recover faster and with fewer risks. After surgery, we’ll connect you to the rehabilitation services you need to gradually start exercising again.

Our elite team of electrophysiologists, interventional radiologists and surgeons offer:

• Ablation for A-fib and other arrhythmias.
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) procedures and management.
• Remote monitoring devices for heart rhythm disorders.
• Surgery for coronary artery disease, heart muscle disease and valve disease.

Learn more about our expertise in electrophysiology, heart surgery and thoracic surgery.

Multidisciplinary care

During your visit, you will benefit from the clinical expertise of a diverse team of experts who collaborate to diagnose and treat various heart conditions that can impact exercise performance.

Our team is made up of highly skilled sports cardiologists, cardiac physiologists, expert electrophysiologists, radiographers and nurses who work in the “cath lab” — the cardiac catheterization laboratory.

Working seamlessly together, they assess your situation and develop a personalised treatment plan focused on your needs. They will help you achieve your performance goals, whether you are a professional athlete or engage in leisurely exercise.

Supporting Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY)

Our top sports cardiologists are also longstanding supporters of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), a charity that raises awareness of sudden cardiac death in young people. Over the years, they have led the heart screening programme, conducting screenings for approximately 25,000 youth across the U.K.

Our lead cardiologist also supports CRY’s related support network for young people with heart disease. He contributes to its research programme, engages with politicians and policymakers to advocate for cardiac screening policies in the U.K. and leads an educational initiative about these conditions.

Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Self-Pay Services

Whether you need a cardiac MRI scan, or want to know the cost of interventional cardiology, sports cardiology, surgical procedures or other services, we can help. Cleveland Clinic London has the most innovative tests and treatments available for self-pay, so you’re prepared for whatever turn your health takes. Find out more.

Learn More

Contact us or call +44 20 3423 7500 for more information including booking an appointment.

For specific information about our heart, vascular or thoracic services you can also email the HVTI access team [email protected].