How to evaluate a female athlete

27 February 2022

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The effect of exercise on cardiac structure and function differs in female and male athletes. Despite an increased number of females participating in sports, data on our sex are limited.

It is important to be aware of the female-specific cardiac adaptations to exercise to distinguish pathology from athletic remodelling, to prevent potential tragedies or unnecessary sports disqualification.

References

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Notes to editor

Authors:

Silvia Castelletti (1), MD, FESC and Sabiha Gati, PhD, FESC (2,3)

1. Cardiomyopathy Center and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Unit, Department of Cardiovascular, Neural and Metabolic Sciences, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
2. National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial college London, UK
3. Department of Cardiology, Royal Brompton Hospital, London, UK

Author for correspondence:

Dr Sabiha Gati

Royal Brompton Hospital

Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP