OVERVIEW

The course addresses the main cardiovascular aspects of sports participation, from physiological adaptation to exercise to the distinction between the athlete’s heart and cardiovascular disease. Particular emphasis is placed on prevention of sudden cardiac death, risk assessment, master athletes, indications for further diagnostic evaluation, and principles of exercise prescription and return to sport.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The educational objective of the teaching is to acquire knowledge for the correct framing of the cardiovascular profile of the athlete.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, students should be able to: describe acute and chronic cardiovascular adaptations to exercise; distinguish major physiological findings in athletes from features suggesting cardiovascular disease; recognise major risk factors and conditions associated with cardiovascular events during sport; understand the role and limitations of history, physical examination, ECG, echocardiography, exercise testing/CPET, rhythm monitoring and advanced imaging; integrate sport type, exercise intensity and clinical profile into cardiovascular risk assessment; and understand general principles of sports eligibility, return to play and exercise prescription in common cardiovascular scenarios. Students should also be able to discuss a basic sports-cardiology case using appropriate terminology and identify when specialist evaluation is required.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of cardiovascular anatomy and physiology and of exercise physiology. No additional specific requirements are required.

TEACHING METHODS

Sixteen hours of lectures with interactive discussion of sports-cardiology cases, ECGs, imaging and functional tests. Selected topics will use problem-based discussion to link physiology, cardiovascular risk and practical decision-making.

Selected teaching materials will be made available through the Degree Course channels.

Students with specific learning disorders, disabilities or other educational needs are encouraged to contact the professor and the inclusion officer at the beginning of the course to agree on appropriate arrangements consistent with the learning objectives.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1) Acute and chronic cardiovascular adaptation to exercise; the athlete’s heart and main determinants of remodelling.

2) Cardiovascular assessment of athletes: history, red flags, physical examination, athlete ECG and indications for further evaluation.

3) Sudden cardiac death in sport: epidemiology, major causes, prevention and emergency response.

4) Cardiomyopathies, myocarditis and pericarditis in athletes.

5) Arrhythmias, premature beats, atrial fibrillation and conduction disorders in athletes.

6) Coronary artery disease and the master athlete; risk factors, subclinical atherosclerosis and functional assessment.

7) Hypertension, valvular heart disease and major congenital heart conditions in sport.

8) Exercise testing and CPET, ECG monitoring, echocardiography, CMR and CCTA: essential indications and integration of findings.

9) Principles of sports eligibility, risk stratification, return to play and exercise prescription in people with cardiovascular disease.

10) Integrated case discussion and multidisciplinary decision-making.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Teaching material provided by the professor and major up-to-date international sports-cardiology guidelines/consensus documents discussed during the course.

Recommended references include the ESC Textbook of Sports Cardiology and Pelliccia A, Heidbuchel H, Corrado D, Borjesson M, Sharma S, eds., Manual of Sports Cardiology.

Additional updated papers and documents will be indicated during the course. 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ITALO PORTO (President)

STEFANO THELLUNG DE COURTELARY (President)

GIUSEPPE MURDACA (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

2nd semester, March.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination within the integrated examination 'Medical Aspects of Sports Performance 2'.

The oral examination includes questions on the module content and may include discussion of a short sports-cardiology scenario, an ECG or a functional test presented during the course.

No mandatory interim examinations are planned.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examination assesses knowledge of sports-cardiology principles and, in particular, the ability to apply them to practical situations. Assessment will consider: accuracy and completeness of knowledge; ability to distinguish physiological adaptation from findings suggesting disease; appropriateness of reasoning in risk stratification and indications for further testing; ability to integrate sport characteristics with the cardiovascular profile; clarity of presentation and correct use of terminology.

The final grade will reflect clinical reasoning and integration rather than factual recall alone.