Sports Cardiology: A Good Fit for Active Patients With Heart Disease

People diagnosed with cardiovascular disease are often counseled to avoid excessive exertion. That may leave athletes and highly active people in a quandary concerning the risks they face should they continue to pursue their passions.

Cedars-Sinai’s new Sports Cardiology Program in the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai provides guidance and support to this engaged population.

“We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of highly active patients whose clinical presentation and personal motivations often differ from the general public’s,” said program director Eli Friedman, MD.

Adult patients who engage in vigorous physical activity want more information.

Friedman, who serves on the American College of Cardiology’s Sports and Exercise Section Leadership Council and is the team cardiologist for the Los Angeles Rams and the LA Galaxy, said the usual recommendations are not sufficient for people who regularly exert their cardiovascular systems in extreme ways.  

“Patients who engage in vigorous physical activity want more information,” Friedman said. “That may mean a more detailed workup and risk analysis, specialized training programs, and ongoing support and evaluation. These are all aspects of care that our program has been created to provide.”

Sports cardiology is a natural addition to Cedars-Sinai’s internationally recognized sports medicine program. Cedars-Sinai is a medical provider to professional sports teams across the L.A. region and is the Official Medical Provider for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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Detailed Risk Analysis

Results from tests and imaging, such as electrocardiograms or echocardiograms, are not always definitive and often require expert interpretation.  

“I can collaborate with a patient’s cardiologist to provide a different perspective on risk and establish an appropriate plan,” said Friedman, who conducts research on cardiac conditions in athletes.

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Similarly, patients with coronary artery disease, arrhythmias or other acquired conditions who wish to exercise intensely can benefit from ongoing supervision to keep them training safely. 

Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) were once advised to avoid competitive athletics, but newer guidelines affirm the benefits of exercise and recommend a more individualized approach. Friedman has extensive experience with HCM and can help determine safe levels of exertion for each athlete.

“Our region is among the most sports-conscious in the world. By building on our considerable strengths to establish the Sports Cardiology Program, the Smidt Heart Institute reaffirms its commitment to our community—and to the LA28 Games,” said Eduardo Marbán, MD, PhD, the Mark Siegel Family Foundation Distinguished Chair and executive director of the Smidt Heart Institute. “Under Dr. Friedman’s leadership and experience, we are building an outstanding program to help highly active people continue doing what they love most.”

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