Sports and exercise cardiology in the United States: cardiovascular specialists as members of the athlete healthcare team.

In recent years, athletic participation has more than doubled in all major demographic groups, while simultaneously, children and adults with established heart disease desire participation in sports and exercise. Despite conferring favorable long-term effects on well-being and survival, exercise can be associated with risk of adverse events in the short term. Complex individual cardiovascular (CV) demands and adaptations imposed by exercise present distinct challenges to the cardiologist asked to evaluate athletes.

Childhood obesity: issues of weight bias.

Although the effects of obesity on children's physical health are well documented, the social consequences of obesity are less well described and may not be addressed in intervention programs. Weight bias may take several forms. It may result in teasing and discrimination and may affect employment and educational opportunities.

Most sudden deaths in adolescent athletes caused by cardiac conditions.

The majority of cases of sudden, unexpected death in athletes are related to cardiovascular anomalies. Some of these anomalies may be diagnosed with a preparticipation examination including a thorough history of previous symptoms that would suggest a cardiovascular diagnosis. In addition, a complete and thorough family history should be obtained, not only from the athlete but also from the athlete's parents.