In this concise, information-rich BJSM podcast, sports cardiologist Aaron Baggish shares his expertise on the critical issue of sudden cardiac death in sport.

He explains how to determine which ECG changes in athletes are sinister and which may not be (such as right bundle branch block). He argues for a detailed screening program for elite athletes and gives advice for those whose care is not covered by a professional sporting organization.

The Boston Marathon has provided valuable lessons for where to locate defibrillators in this type of event. A sports cardiology refresher in just 11 minutes!

Recorded at the Summit – Leaders in Performance – New York (June 17/18 2014); with permission from Leaders (James Worrall). Aaron Baggish's session at Leaders was sponsored by Aspetar Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar.

See also:

J Drezner, M Ackerman, J Anderson et al. Electrocardiographic interpretation in athletes: the ‘Seattle Criteria’ bit.ly/1ic8P6i

P Biddinger, A Baggish, L Harrington, P d’Hemecourt, J Hooley, The Boston Marathon and Mass-Casualty Events bit.ly/1lEtkaK

BMJ Learning: ECG interpretation in athletes: bit.ly/1lI8djo

Incidence of sudden cardiac death in athletes: a state-of-the-art review: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/48/15/1185.full

The FIFA medical emergency bag and FIFA 11 steps to prevent sudden cardiac death: setting a global standard and promoting consistent football field emergency care: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/47/18/1199.full

Cardiovascular screening in adolescents and young adults: a prospective study comparing the Pre-participation Physical Evaluation Monograph 4th Edition and ECG: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/48/15/1172.full

Mass ECG screening of young athletes: http://bjsm.bmj.com/content/42/9/707.full

Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Cardiac Screening: A trainee perspective: http://blogs.bmj.com/bjsm/2012/10/18/sudden-cardiac-arrest-and-cardiac-screening-a-trainee-perspective/

David Epstein – ‘The Sports Gene’ author (Part 2) – Hearts and blood: https://soundcloud.com/bmjpodcasts/david-epstein-the-sports-gene-author-part-2-hearts-and-blood