Intermediate
Technical
IVT
athlete's heart
Benign cardiac adaptations in athletes that may mimic pathological conditions on ECG or imaging.
Full Definition
A constellation of physiological cardiac changes that occur in response to chronic athletic training, including increased chamber sizes, wall thickness, and enhanced diastolic function. These adaptations are benign but can be mistaken for cardiomyopathy or other pathological conditions during screening. Recognition of athlete's heart is crucial for sports cardiologists to avoid unnecessary restrictions on athletic participation.
Usage
Usage note: Always lowercase 'heart' when not used as a proper noun.
In Context
- "The echocardiogram revealed features consistent with athlete's heart rather than pathological hypertrophy." — Cardiology consultation report
- "Distinguishing athlete's heart from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy remains a diagnostic challenge in sports medicine." — Medical journal article
Also known as
athletic heart syndrome
exercise-induced cardiac remodeling
Contrasted with
pathological cardiac hypertrophy
Don't confuse with
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
dilated cardiomyopathy