Return to Play Considerations for Athletes with Genetic Heart Rhythm Diseases

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Sep 16, 2019 | Katrina Sorensen, Research Coordinator | @katrinasorensen

Being told that you or a member of your family can no longer participate in sports due to a genetic heart rhythm condition can be devastating. Over the past several years, the idea that patient's with GHDs should be immediately and indefinitely be disqualified from sports is slowly starting to shift.

Dr. Michael Ackerman, the director of the Windland Smith Rice Genetic Heart Rhythm Clinic, strongly believes that the decision to return to sports should be a shared decision between the athlete, their family, coaches and physicians. Many things need to be discussed and considered before an athlete should return to participation, including the five essential return to play considerations detailed in the Competitive Sport Athletes and Genetic Heart Diseases video on the Video Archive tab.

The 50-minute video lecture below details the evolution from "If in Doubt, Kick them Out" to "Shared Decision Making" when it comes to athletes with a variety of Genetic Heart Diseases and their ability to safely return to or continue in the competitive sports.

Check out the Heart Rhythm Conditions group to join discussions and read other people's opinions with genetic heart rhythm disorders about returning to sports.